Bonanza Empire Chief Mine - Hinsdale County, CO - Mines on Waymarking.com

The history of the Bonanza Chief Empirwe Mine and Mill mirrors the stories told of fleeing fortunes throughout the San Juan Mountains. The intial discovery of the Bonanza Lode was made on July 4, 1885. Little work was completed on the claim until 1901, when the Hensen creek Lead Mines Company issued $1,500,000 in Capital Stock and began to construct a three-story concentration mill.

Over the next few years, little underground work was performed, yet above ground facilities were developed including an electricalpower plant, a boarding house and a black smith shop. At the same time, bonds were issued to raise funds to cover debts incurred at the mine. In 1906, over 3,700 feet of drills were driven into the mountain as miners followed promising veins of ore that contained galena, zinc,silver and gold. Unfortunately, as was often the case in hard rock mining, the promise was short lived and the mine once again shut down in 1907.

The Bonnanza/Empire Chief received a brief revival in the 1920's when the mill was retooled; however, little ore of high quality was produced. In 1929, the Empire Chief Mill was once again rebuilt. With low ore values, rising coal prices, legal battles, transportation problems, the beginning of the Great depression, and a devastating avalanche, the mine was forsced to close. The Bonanza/Empire Chief and Mill was eventually liquidated in a series of Sheriff's Sales.

**The above information if from the Panel at the site of the Bonanza Empire Chief Mine and Mill.**

Mine Type: Abandoned Mine Mineral Collecting: Not Known Material Mined: Precious Metal Operation: Underground Mine Surface Features: Yes KNOWN DANGERS: Possible hidden shafts under the collapsed building. Also there is unastable debris. Any Other information: The mill ruins were stabilized in 2000 by the Bureau of Land Management and Hinsdale County Historical Society. In 2007/2008, the mill ruins were demolished by an avalanche. Any associated website: Not listed

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