Cerro Gordo Mines, Silver and lead mining complex in Inyo Mountains, California, US.
Cerro Gordo Mines is a former mining complex in the Inyo Mountains of California, perched at about 8300 feet (2530 m) above sea level. Underground tunnels stretch more than 30 miles through the rock, forming a wide network of passages.
Mining began here in 1865 when Pablo Flores discovered silver deposits, and within a few years the site became the top silver producer in California. Operations continued until 1957 and produced more than 4.4 million troy ounces of silver along with large amounts of lead and zinc.
Mexican workers gave the site its name Cerro Gordo, meaning Fat Hill, a reference that still marks the place today. A few remains of adobe ovens still stand where silver ore was once smelted.
The complex sits remotely in the mountains and can only be reached by unpaved roads that may become impassable in bad weather. Visitors should bring plenty of water because there are no natural sources at the site.
Water had to be continuously hauled by pack animals to the mine because no springs existed in the area. This reliance on external water delivery made operations much harder and more costly than at other mining sites.
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