Old Dominion Mine Park

BHP Copper Mine


Useful Information

Location: Globe/Miami, 100 km east of Phoenix, Gila County. US60 from Phoenix.
Open: not yet open [2006]
Fee: not yet open [2006]
Classification: MineCopper Mine
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: A=1,066 m asl.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Old Dominion Mine Park, Globe, Arizona 85501.
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

1876 Globe founded after significant silver deposits where discovered.
1909 Miami founded when workers at nearby copper mines grew tired of commuting from Globe.
1917 striking miners were persuaded to return to work by troops sent in by Arizona governor Thomas Campbell.
1931 Old Dominion closed.
2006 Old Dominion Mine Park scheduled to open.

Geology


Description

Old Dominion Mine Park is not yet realized, however, it is proposed to be working in autumn 2006. The area around Globe was once a famous mining region. It all started with the discovery of silver in the foothills of the Pinal Mountains. The first huge nugget found was a ball of silver with many veins, which resembled a globe. At this place a mining village was founded and named Globe after the nugget. But after some time, the mined copper became much more important than the silver, and globe became a copper mining town.

The mines were located all around Globe, but after 30 years they had moved to the location were Miami is today, following the ores. The miners had to commute, which took a lot of time every day. Finally a new village was founded which is Miami.

Both towns were dependend on the mining, and after the mining ended, they more or less collapsed. Today two small towns surrounded by the ruins of once prosperous mining remain.