Abandoned mines in Sweetwater County, Wyoming
Sweetwater County, Wyoming has 691 mine and prospect features on USGS topographic maps published 1957–1996, including 41 mine openings (shafts, adits and air shafts) and 421 prospect pits; 9 of the features carry a name on the map. OSMRE's abandoned mine land inventory lists 366 problems in the county, 64 of them not yet reclaimed. MSHA's register carries 50 mines in the county with status Abandoned or Abandoned and Sealed.
Every mine and prospect feature the USGS digitized from historical topographic maps covering Sweetwater County, every OSMRE abandoned mine land problem in the county, and every MSHA-registered mine here with status Abandoned. Named features are listed below; unnamed ones are counted by type. Locations are deliberately not shown: this page says what abandoned workings are in the county, not where to find them. They are dangerous and should not be entered.
- Mapped mine features (USGS)
- 691
- Mine openings
- 41
- OSMRE problems unreclaimed
- 64
- MSHA mines marked abandoned
- 50
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123 11.6%Mine openingsshafts, adits, air shafts, portals and vertical openings: the ways into underground workings
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421 39.8%Prospect pits and trenchesshallow exploration diggings that never became a mine
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68 6.4%Mines and surface workingslabelled mines, open pits, strip mines, placer and hydraulic workings
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157 14.9%Quarries, gravel and borrow pitsconstruction-material and industrial-mineral extraction
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38 3.6%Dumps, tailings, spoil and gobwhat mining left above ground
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7 0.7%Mills, tipples and facilitiesprocessing plants and hazardous structures
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233 22.0%Other reclamation problemshighwalls, subsidence, polluted or clogged water, fires, slides and gases in OSMRE's inventory
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10 0.9%Othersymbols outside the classes above
| Name on map | Feature |
|---|---|
| Canyon Creek Mine | Adit |
| Clark Mine | Open Pit Mine area |
| Copenhagen Mine | Adit |
| D Mine | Adit |
| G Mine | Adit |
| Premier Mine | Mine Shaft |
| Rainbow Mine | Adit |
| Swanson Mine | Adit |
| Westvaco Shaft No 3 | Mine Shaft |
A name is the label printed beside the symbol on the map. "First mapped" is the earliest topographic edition that shows the symbol, which bounds the feature's age from above; it is not the date it was worked. Unnamed features (most prospect pits, adits and shafts carry no label) are in the counts above but not this list.
| Problem area | Problem | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Almy No. 7 | P1 Clogged Stream Lands | Reclamation Completed |
| Almy No. 7 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Almy No. 7 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Almy No. 7 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Almy No. 7 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Bitter Creek Restoration (PF 78) | PF Conservation Facilities | Reclamation Completed |
| Black Butte - Gibralter | P2 Hazardous Equip & Facilities | Reclamation Pending |
| Black Butte - Gibralter | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Pending |
| Black Butte - Gibralter | P3 Equipment Facility | Reclamation Pending |
| Black Butte - Gibralter | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Pending |
| Black Butte - Gibralter | P3 Slump | Reclamation Pending |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P1 Subsidence | In Reclamation |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P2 Underground Mine Fires | In Reclamation |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Blairtown Swtr1024 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| Bugas SWTR1099 | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Bugas SWTR1099 | P3 Gobs | Reclamation Completed |
| Bugas SWTR1099 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| Carb0129 | P3 Pits | Reclamation Pending |
| Carb0129 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Pending |
| Carb0203 | P3 Pits | Reclamation Pending |
| Carb0203 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Pending |
| Carlson Mine Swtr1019 | P2 Clogged Stream Lands | In Reclamation |
| Carlson Mine Swtr1019 | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Carlson Mine Swtr1019 | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Carlson Mine Swtr1019 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Carlson Mine Swtr1019 | P3 Spoil Area | In Reclamation |
| Cc&c N0. 2 Canyonview Rock Springs | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Central Coal and Coke No. 2 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Central Coal and Coke No. 2 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Central Coal and Coke No. 2 | P2 Subsidence | In Reclamation |
| Central Coal and Coke No. 2 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Central Coal and Coke No. 2 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| Chilton Mine | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Chilton Mine | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Chilton Mine | P3 Spoil Area | In Reclamation |
| College Hill Highwall/No. 5 Mine | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Colony Strip Mine No 2 Swtr1027 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Colony Strip Mine No 2 Swtr1027 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Colony Strip Mine No 2 Swtr1027 | P3 Pits | Reclamation Completed |
| Colony Strip Mine No 2 Swtr1027 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Colony Strip Mine No 2 Swtr1027 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Colony Strip Mine No 2 Swtr1027 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| Crooked Canyon Prospects | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Crooked Canyon Prospects | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P2 Hazardous Equip & Facilities | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P2 Vertical Openings | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark Mines Swtr1150 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark No. 1 Mine Swtr1133 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark No. 1 Mine Swtr1133 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark No. 1 Mine Swtr1133 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark No. 1 Mine Swtr1133 | P2 Vertical Openings | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark No. 1 Mine Swtr1133 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark No. 1 Mine Swtr1133 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| D.o. Clark No. 1 Mine Swtr1133 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Dead Horse Creek (PF 60) | PF Other | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P1 Vertical Openings | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P2 Surface Burning | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P2 Underground Mine Fires | Reclamation Pending |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Dines Swtr1111 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Green River Water System (PF25) | PF Public (Infra) Structure | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn Quealy Strip No. 1 | P1 Dangerous Highwalls | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn Quealy Strip No. 1 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn Quealy Strip No. 1 | P3 Haul Road | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn Quealy Strip No. 1 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Pending |
| Gunn Quealy Strip No. 1 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P2 Subsidence | In Reclamation |
| Gunn-Quealy | P2 Vertical Openings | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P3 Pits | In Reclamation |
| Gunn-Quealy | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Gunn-Quealy | P3 Spoil Area | In Reclamation |
| Historic Rk Sprgs Old City Hall Sub | P5 Historic Purpose | Reclamation Completed |
| Home Mine | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Home Mine | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Home Mine | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Home Mine | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Interstate Camp Swtr0079 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Interstate Camp Swtr0079 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Interstate Camp Swtr0079 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Interstate Camp Swtr0079 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Interstate Camp Swtr0079 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| John Ludvigsen | P2 Subsidence | In Reclamation |
| John Ludvigsen | P2 Underground Mine Fires | In Reclamation |
| John Ludvigsen | P3 Mine Opening | In Reclamation |
| John Park Lease/ Excelsior | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| John Park Lease/ Excelsior | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| John Park Lease/ Excelsior | P2 Subsidence | In Reclamation |
| John Park Lease/ Excelsior | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Kent Mine | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P1 Clogged Streams | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P1 Hazardous Equip & Facilities | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P1 Vertical Openings | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P2 Dangerous Highwalls | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P2 Subsidence | In Reclamation |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P2 Vertical Openings | Reclamation Pending |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P3 Haul Road | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Lionkol Swtr0028 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| Little Bitter Creek Mine | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Long Canyon | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Long Canyon | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Mellor Mine | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Mellor Mine | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Meyers | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Meyers | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| O'Flaherty Mine | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P1 Hazardous Equip & Facilities | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P2 Hazardous Equip & Facilities | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P2 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P2 Vertical Openings | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 1 & 3 Swtr1026 | P3 Spoil Area | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P1 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P1 Subsidence | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P2 Portals | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P2 Subsidence | In Reclamation |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P3 Mine Opening | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
| Peacock No. 12 Swtr1029 | P3 Slump | Reclamation Completed |
…and 216 more problems not listed here.
Problem types carry OSMRE's priority prefix: P1 and P2 are threats to health, safety and property, P3 is environmental. A problem area is a cluster of problems reclaimed as one project; several rows can share one location.
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2003 BL Pegson CrusherAbandoned 2025-03-06Surface metal/non-metal · Lee Sand and Gravel, Inc · MSHA ID 4801810
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ADDCAR System 18 HWM Serial No 23018Abandoned 2026-04-22Surface coal · Eagle Highwall Mining Systems, LLC · MSHA ID 4801645
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Black Butte Interchange-Project #56Abandoned 1984-03-20Surface metal/non-metal · Peter Kiewit Sons' Company · MSHA ID 4801242
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Bo'S Rock Pit #1Abandoned 1994-09-14Surface metal/non-metal · Bo'S Excavating Inc · MSHA ID 4801432
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Bridger Underground Coal MineAbandoned and Sealed 2024-04-15Underground coal · Bridger Coal Company · MSHA ID 4801646
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Buzzard PitAbandoned 1980-06-17Surface metal/non-metal · Concrete Products Co-Div/Gibbons & Reed Company · MSHA ID 4801270
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Cherokee Hill PitAbandoned 1980-07-28Surface metal/non-metal · Wyoming Highway Department · MSHA ID 4801324
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Crusher #1Abandoned 1986-10-06Surface metal/non-metal · Eagle Concrete Products Inc · MSHA ID 4801354
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Crusher #1Abandoned 2020-08-04Surface metal/non-metal · Green River Stone & Crushing · MSHA ID 4801672
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Crusher #1Abandoned 2008-01-18Surface metal/non-metal · Cole Lumber & Construction Inc · MSHA ID 4801683
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Crusher #1Abandoned 2023-11-14Surface metal/non-metal · Terry R. Pitt Construction Inc. · MSHA ID 4801842
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Damifino PitAbandoned 1985-10-28Surface metal/non-metal · Kasler Corp · MSHA ID 4801424
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Dry Claims Joint VentureAbandoned 1987-07-07Surface metal/non-metal · Electro-Win Corp · MSHA ID 4801463
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FMC @ GRANGERAbandoned 2007-06-07Underground metal/non-metal · FMC Corp · MSHA ID 4800639
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Fmc Gravel Pit #6019Abandoned 1979-08-22Surface metal/non-metal · Peter Kiewit Sons' Company · MSHA ID 4801267
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Green River Perlite Processing PlantAbandoned 1985-05-16Facility metal/non-metal · Harborlite Corp · MSHA ID 4801423
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Green River PlantAbandoned 1985-07-10Facility metal/non-metal · Western Perlite Corp · MSHA ID 4801425
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HARDROCK CONCRETE WASH PLANTAbandoned 1999-07-27Surface metal/non-metal · Hardrock Concrete Lc · MSHA ID 4801546
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Huntley PitAbandoned 1985-05-06Surface metal/non-metal · Huntley Construction Company · MSHA ID 4800279
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Jaure PitAbandoned 2008-10-06Surface metal/non-metal · Hyland Enterprises Inc · MSHA ID 4801651
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L & L Pit-Green RiverAbandoned 2024-10-01Surface metal/non-metal · IPE Aggregate · MSHA ID 4801858
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Labarge Pit Or Underpass PitAbandoned 1982-02-16Surface metal/non-metal · Mc Garvin-Moberly Construction Company · MSHA ID 4800819
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Labarge Road PitAbandoned 1985-07-10Surface metal/non-metal · Sunrise Construction Company Inc · MSHA ID 4801245
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Layos Pit 564Abandoned 2025-09-23Surface metal/non-metal · Suncore Construction and Materials Inc. · MSHA ID 4801671
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Leucite HillsAbandoned 1984-07-19Surface metal/non-metal · Pacific Minerals Inc · MSHA ID 4801338
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Leucite Hills MineAbandoned and Sealed 1988-07-28Surface coal · Black Butte Coal Company · MSHA ID 4801121
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Lewis & Lewis, Portable 01Abandoned 2025-12-18Surface metal/non-metal · Lewis and Lewis · MSHA ID 4801482
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Long Canyon MineAbandoned and Sealed 1986-02-19Surface coal · Sunoco Energy Development Company · MSHA ID 4801118
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Lucite #1Abandoned 1987-05-01Surface metal/non-metal · Lucite Inc · MSHA ID 4801460
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PCIAbandoned 2025-06-27Surface metal/non-metal · Pallesen Const. Inc · MSHA ID 4801758
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Rainbow #7Abandoned 1973-10-09Underground coal · Gunn-Quealy Coal Company · MSHA ID 4800091
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Rainbow No 7 Prep PlantAbandoned 1974-04-11Facility coal · Gunn-Quealy Coal Company · MSHA ID 4800709
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Rainbow No 8 MineAbandoned 1977-06-23Underground coal · Columbine Mining Company · MSHA ID 4800661
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Red Arm MineAbandoned 1988-06-14Facility metal/non-metal · Calcitron Metals Inc · MSHA ID 4801484
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Red Desert ProjectAbandoned 1979-01-05Surface metal/non-metal · Union Minerals Exploration · MSHA ID 4801114
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Reliance Coal StripAbandoned 1972-11-06Surface coal · Rocky Mountain Associated · MSHA ID 4800187
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Rocks In Stones #1Abandoned 2011-08-05Surface metal/non-metal · Rocks In Stones, LLC · MSHA ID 4801738
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Rocky Mountain Coal Company, LLCAbandoned 2014-11-03Surface coal · Rocky Mountain Coal Company, LLC · MSHA ID 4801725
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Section 20 PitAbandoned 1980-10-15Surface metal/non-metal · Clark'S Ready-Mix & Construction Inc · MSHA ID 4801171
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Sims Corporation Screening PlantAbandoned 1986-05-08Surface metal/non-metal · Sims Corp · MSHA ID 4801446
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Split Rock ProjectAbandoned 1995-12-28Surface metal/non-metal · N A Degerstrom Inc · MSHA ID 4800559
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Stansbury MineAbandoned and Sealed 2007-03-12Underground coal · New Stansbury Coal Company LLC · MSHA ID 4801012
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Sunrise CrusherAbandoned 1990-08-24Surface metal/non-metal · Sunrise Construction Company Inc · MSHA ID 4801277
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Swanson MineAbandoned and Sealed 1996-04-01Underground coal · Cougar Coal Company · MSHA ID 4800082
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Sweetwater MineAbandoned 2003-09-26Surface metal/non-metal · Water Remediation Technology, LLC · MSHA ID 4801629
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Sweetwater Uranium ProjectAbandoned 1990-09-04Surface metal/non-metal · Minerals Exploration Company · MSHA ID 4801181
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TaliaferroAbandoned 2022-08-17Surface metal/non-metal · IHC Scott · MSHA ID 4801851
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Tata Chemicals MillAbandoned 2014-06-30Surface metal/non-metal · Tata Chemicals (Soda Ash) Partners · MSHA ID 4801497
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Wash Plant #1Abandoned 1986-10-06Surface metal/non-metal · Eagle Concrete Products Inc · MSHA ID 4801437
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Wylie PitAbandoned 2009-01-01Surface metal/non-metal · Wylie Construction Inc. · MSHA ID 4801630
Status and date are as reported to MSHA by the operator. Each mine's own page carries its accident, citation and inspection record.
| Feature type | Features |
|---|---|
| Prospect Pit | 421 |
| P2 Subsidence | 59 |
| Disturbed Surface | 46 |
| Gravel Pit | 42 |
| P3 Slump | 40 |
| Borrow Pit | 40 |
| P3 Mine Opening | 39 |
| P1 Subsidence | 37 |
| Borrow Pit | 36 |
| P2 Portals | 34 |
| Adit | 33 |
| P3 Spoil Area | 29 |
| Gravel Pit | 28 |
| P1 Portals | 26 |
| P2 Vertical Openings | 16 |
| P2 Underground Mine Fires | 14 |
| P3 Pits | 12 |
| Disturbed Surface - Pit | 8 |
| Gravel/Borrow Pit - Undifferentiated | 8 |
| Mine Shaft | 8 |
| P2 Dangerous Highwalls | 6 |
| P1 Vertical Openings | 6 |
| Open Pit Mine | 6 |
| Strip Mine | 5 |
| P2 Clogged Stream Lands | 5 |
| P3 Haul Road | 5 |
| P2 Hazardous Equip & Facilities | 4 |
| P3 Gobs | 4 |
| P1 Hazardous Equip & Facilities | 3 |
| P1 Dangerous Highwalls | 3 |
| P3 Equipment Facility | 3 |
| PF Public (Infra) Structure | 3 |
| Tailings - Pond | 3 |
| PF Public Utilities | 3 |
| Quarry | 3 |
| Open Pit Mine | 3 |
| PF Other | 2 |
| P2 Surface Burning | 2 |
| P1 Underground Mine Fires | 2 |
| P1 Clogged Stream Lands | 2 |
| P1 Dangerous Piles & Embankments | 1 |
| P2 Hazardous Water Bodies | 1 |
| P5 Historic Purpose | 1 |
| Mine Dump | 1 |
| PF Roads | 1 |
| P1 Clogged Streams | 1 |
| P2 Clogged Streams | 1 |
| PF Conservation Facilities | 1 |
A USGS feature is a symbol on a historical topographic map, there when the map was surveyed; it may since have been sealed, reclaimed, built over or reopened as a working mine, and the map does not say which. An OSMRE row is a problem the abandoned mine land program tracks, not a mine. An MSHA mine is a registered operation whose operator reported abandonment, a record that starts in the 1970s. The three overlap and are never added together. The county is assigned from each feature's coordinates against the Census 2023 county boundaries. The full method is on the national page.
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USGS, Consolidated Prospect- and Mine-Related Features from 7.5- and 15-Minute Topographic Quadrangle Maps of the United States (USMIN)
597,612 point and area features digitized from about 106,350 historical topographic maps published 1886–2006; public domain (CC0). A feature is a map symbol, not a field-verified site, and the map does not say whether it was still worked.
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USGS Fact Sheet 2025–3003, The Abandoned Mine Inventory of the United States
States that as of 2025 there is no comprehensive national inventory of abandoned mine features, and that the detailed national database now being built will not be published.
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OSMRE, Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (e-AMLIS), public Problems layer
One row per abandoned mine land problem in a problem area, with its type, funding program and reclamation status; mostly coal mined before the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Coordinates are the problem area's.
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MSHA, Mines dataset (Mine Data Retrieval System)
Every mine registered with MSHA since the 1970s; a mine reads Abandoned or Abandoned and Sealed when its operator reported that status. Refreshed weekly.
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US Census Bureau, 2023 cartographic county boundaries (1:500,000)
Each feature's county is assigned by its coordinates against these boundaries, not copied from the source file.
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GAO-20-238, Abandoned Hardrock Mines (March 2020)
Federal agencies had identified at least 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features on federal land and estimated more than 390,000 more not yet captured in their databases.
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Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR) Program, US Department of the Interior
The program the USGS inventory is compiled for. Its appropriations and the 674,000 field-confirmed feature count on this page were provided by the program manager, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, and are cited with permission (2026-09-08).
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IMCC-NAAMLP Hardrock AML Report
Page 48 carries the two figures this page leans on: USGS estimates 633,181 of the 725,690 mine features it recorded from historic topographic maps, 87 percent, are hardrock; and state and federal agencies have submitted more than 724,000 AML features to the national database being built, already more than the historic maps hold. Year-by-year AHMR funding is on page 35.