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Field CollectingHas the Himalaya Mine Been Closed by California?

11th Jul 2016 05:04 UTCRudy Bolona Expert

I heard the Himalaya MIne has been shut down by the state of California. True or not?

13th Jul 2016 09:12 UTCIan Nicastro

I am local, and I don't know the current status, the actual mine has never been open to visitors… the fee dig is located off-site at a campground nearby, and mine dump material is brought in. I have friends that are working for the owners/operators, so the whole thing was definitely in full swing as of a couple months ago. But I haven't spoke to them lately. Part of the mine is on private land, and part of it is national forest. Either way I feel the state wouldn't get involved it would be either MSHA or the Forest Service if there was an issue.

13th Jul 2016 14:59 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert

"the actual mine has never been open to visitors"

Yes it has been in the past. A few years ago I visited several times a month. As I understand it it's now much more difficult to access the dumps (need a club trip, etc.). The fee collecting dirt pile (near Lake Henshaw) has received mixed reviews(mostly not so positive reviews from me).

13th Jul 2016 15:34 UTCRudy Bolona Expert

I was referring if it was closed to the owner/operator of the mine. Visitors only get to work the refuse pile. I was told that it was closed by the state of California, due to enviromental issues or some other red tape reason. I won't mention who said this, just to protect everyone's feelings. Maybe it's just a Fleetwood Mac album.

13th Jul 2016 23:47 UTCIan Nicastro

I just asked Chris Rose this morning. He said they have never had any issues with the State, and have had no environmental violations or any violations of any kind. He thinks the rumor may have stemmed from the fact they are thinking of suspending the fee dig operation for awhile to focus on other projects (they own multiple mines including the Sunstone Spectrum Mine in OR and a new Trilobite dig in UT (I think)). And I wouldn't be getting folks hopes up... your average collector coming out here on vacation from the midwest isn't going to be able to visit the on-site workings. I have a feeling that was more than a 2-3 years ago that field trips were still allowed... MSHA seems to have put a stop to most on site working mine visits these days unless it's an academic group... things aren't how they were back in 2006, etc... and none of the southern california mines let the general public underground anymore unless it's for something special.

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