Chollar Mine

Useful Information

Location:	615 South F St, Virginia City, Nevada 89440. Carson River Basin, Storey County, Nevada. (39.301931, -119.650972)
Open:	All year daily 10-16:15. [2023]
Fee:	Adults USD 20, Children (4-12) USD 10, Children (0-3) free. [2023]
Classification:	Gold Mine Silver Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	A=1,903 m.
Guided tours:	D=30 min, VR=135 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Chollar Mine, 615 South F St, Virginia City, Nevada 89440, Tel: +1-775-847-0155.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1859	ores discovered, Chollar Mine opened by William “Billy” Chollar.
1865	consolidated with the Potosi Mine.
1887	Nevada Mill erected to process low-grade Chollar ore.
1940s	mine closed.

Geology

Description

There are numerous mines right below the heart of Virginia City, with more than 650 km of tunnels. Chollar Mine is one of two which are open to the public. This mine was worked for a lode containing both gold and silver. It was closed when it was mined out, not because of falling metal prices. As a result there is no valuable ore in the mine anymore.

The tour descends about 135 m below Virginia City, showing numerous aspects of former ore mining. It shows tools, machinery, but also the used techniques for mining and for building support structures. This is completed by many interesting facts of how Virginia City miners lived and died. It also shows the remains of the Comstock Lode, the primary gold bearing lode, after which the area was called Comstock District, or just Comstock.

Chollar Mine is one of the oldest mines of the Colmstock. It was opened later in the same year the ore was discovered. During 80 years of operation the mine produced $17 million in gold and silver. It was named after the discoverer of the Chollar silver lode, William “Billy” Chollar.