Copper Mine Tour - Bisbee, AZ

Yesterday we went to Bisbee which is about 40 miles south from us and 10 miles from the border of Mexico (saw lots of Border Patrol out). We had been in Bisbee 5 years before but did not get to go on the copper mine tour, the world's largest and richest copper mine yielding over 8 billion tons of copper,2.8 million ounces of gold, 77 million ounces of silver and much more in less than the 100 years of production. This mine also had 2500 miles of tunnels. The discovery and production of these metals made Arizona. Five years ago we came here with our 2 granddaughters and we got lost on the way and missed our tour time. The weather here is really lousy - threat of snow for the next 2 days so we dressed warm for the tour, the temp inside the mine is a cool 47 all year. However, 47 was warm compared to the 39 outside! We have gone on tours of ore mines, iron mines, diamond fields, forestry (lumber) industry, copper mines - but this particular mine - wow. Our guide worked in the mine for over 17 years up until it closed in 1975. He knew his history of what and how the copper was extracted. He was born in the town, lived across the road from the mine and saw first hand the boom Bisbee experienced. Today the town has thrived not only on this tour attracting people, but birding is supposed to be great in the spring/summer months, Tombstone only being 12 miles north and artists have established themselves with lots of craft stores.

We first had to sign a waiver that if we were injured while inside the mine - they were not liable. Should that tell you something? Dressed in yellow reflective coats, hard hats, a belt with a battery that has a light attached - we boarded an electric small train and moved 1500 feet deep inside. We stopped at various times to get off and go into shafts where the room we were in showed how the miners worked at extracting the metals, another room (stop) was to show how the men loaded up the cars of stone to be either pulled out by man or by mule, how the miners bore holes in the wall to load up dynamite, and so much more. Even saw a portable toilet - a two seater! Having spent many years in a steel mill, I am attracted to heavy industry and always in awe of how things were done. But this tour really made me glad I didn't have to work in a place like this. It was never said but I googled that 125 men lost their lives while in the mine, explains all the orbs that show up in my pictures (guess I am still a ghost magnet).

Dave and I were frozen by the time our 1 and 1/2 hour tour ended. We had dressed in layers but the cold, dampness really seeped into our bones. Can you imagine working like that day in and day out? After our tour we drove about 1/4 mile down the road to the Lavender Pit - an open/above ground mine pit - how they do it now. Did a little sight seeing, stopped in the town and got refreshed by coffee and pastry, then toured the Historical Museum which was originally the general offices of the Queen Copper Mine Company. A good day. Now we sit inside snug and warm waiting out the two days of snow and cold nights. We are shocked that more RVs are not stopping to pass through on their way to ? we passed campgrounds on our way to Bisbee and they are not even half full. Wonder?