Friday, March 6, 2009

Keys' Gold Mine in Joshua Tree National Park





Bill Keys operated a two-stamp process gold ore processing mill named the Wall Street Stamp Mill in what is now Joshua Tree National Park. The mill is about a two-mile walk (one way) from the parking area.

Keys processed his own ore as well as that brought to him by other miners.  The mine is on the national historical registry. 

The first picture shows what remains of the mill. The second picture is a look at some of the machinery inside the mill.

The National Park Service's explanation of a two-stamp gold milling process is a bit hard to read but provides a good overview of the refining process from raw ore to processed gold which was sent to the Mint or smelter.

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