# 145 Father and son explore the Highlander Mine and Mill, a rare intact historic find!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ม.ค. 2025
- The last part of an exciting quest to travel through a massive mine and explore a mill that is still intact after being closed over 50 years ago.
By far the best mine exploring channel on Utube. You guys go deeper into the darkness than any of the other channels would dare. Do you guys mess with the other mine exploring channels, call em 🐔's and stuff. On a more serious note, since u guys go farther into the depths of these mines, why is it that you don't see ghosts, and have chains swing towards ya, or have voices come out of loud speakers without the power hooked up, or hear high pitched screams, or see alien figures were following u when editing your vids. it happens to that tvr exploring channel all the time! I think that's their name.
I guess the only way to get views if you don't have the skills or desire to really go deep into mines is to create drama.
Spot On, luv ya.
Now why would ya say a thing like that.. TVR is about the only other legit mine explorer out here. Visits mines all over the world, often places no-one has been since they were operated, and actually climbs down vertical shafts, without fussing much about the effort that takes. And he doesn't care about views either - he hardly gets any. That being said it is hard to understand how the more everyday visitors of mines get most views by far.
TVR and Gly coolness are dope channels just like this one....the only 3 worth watching for sure....keep up the great videos frank!
@Jeffery Tristan why
I actually recognize the design of this mill, it's a pretty standard design of "portable mill" by Denver Engineering of Colorado, although being Canada it may've been done through an agent. Primary crushing is the Allis Chalmers jaw crusher as you pointed out, followed by a secondary Traylor gyratory crusher for material that was oversize on the screen, then up the conveyor to the mill feed bin, discharging onto a Denver apron feeder metering feed to a Denver ball mill that would've run in closed circuit with the spiral classifier next to it. For some reason, Denver didn't believe in jigging even for Galena, so the tailings was instead sorted by their "Sub-A" floatation cells with the characteristic heart-shaped belt covers. The floatation cells would've also handled the lead-zinc separation. The two tanks at the end of the mill at around 26:30 are (Dorr I think?) thickeners where solids sank to the bottom with rotating rakes plowing the material to a centre drain, while "clarified" water overflows to drain. The slurry discharging from the tanks would be pumped probably by a Gould SRL centrifugal pump up to the Denver twin disc filter which can be seen at 26:44, which would remove the rest of the water and dump the resulting "cake" into a concentrate bin immediately below to be trucked away presumably by the company listed on the sign. The filter is double-banked, so one side of the filter would've been producing lead concentrate, while the other was producing zinc. Any zinc mixed in with the lead would get them penalized by the smelter, and it's a valuable metal on its own so worth the effort to separate it out.
This is the only fully intact Denver mill that I've ever seen, they were once very common as a "stopgap" measure to get a mill in quickly before either replacing it with something more permanent or expanding it for full production. I'm pretty sure with these that you could either specify a metal framed building to come with all the parts, or you could just self-build a timber structure like they have here, following a set of plans Denver provided. Not the most profitable mill design, even as designed these were intended to be "expanded" for additional recovery later. There's no hydro-cycloning, no extra screening, no re-grind circuit, so probably a fairly high (as mills go) rate of loss through tailings. Also I think for Galena the lack of jigging would've only served to lower the concentrate percentage while increasing the amount of work the floatation cells have to do. Still, a lot of the technology in there is still used today and the basic principle hasn't really changed in the last 100 years. Really interesting stuff.
This is genuine. Easily the best mining channel!
Still watching documentaries of ore mining, so what you see I can be knowledgeable. Education is priceless, Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
Real shame this mine is getting lost in time. Great video Frank...!
Well another good adventure Frank nice to see your son with you in the mine
Just cool to see a father son just shooting the breeze out enjoying life to the full. As always stay safe have fun. These are memories each will cherish tell grand kids in years to come even cooler it's all recorded for ever & for us to tag along enjoy also. Cheers take care many regards from Ireland👍🇮🇪☘
Good job guys. I enjoyed the aerial view added. Gives a perspective of the area. The tour of the mill was awesome, gave us an idea of how the mine ore processing worked. As a dad l also enjoyed the guidance given on the repelling. You're gonna miss the boy when he goes back!
Had one of my half dozen grandsons Cylus for a week during spring break, he's 8. He helped me work on the property and even operated the tractor. Already miss him. 😁
Love these father son explores Frank, he's lucky to have a cool father like you to do stuff like this with.
Great to see another adventure with father and son. I loved the aerial footage, it’s so beautiful out there. I had to do a double-take when I saw the footage with the girl I thought my eyes were deceiving me, but no it was just you guys messing with us 😲. The water that was flowing through there looked and sounded powerful. The mill and all the machinery was interesting to see, it seems wasteful to have left so much behind. The building doesn’t look like it will be around for too much longer but the machinery will take many more years to corrode, but nature always reclaims in the end. Brilliant explore, and well documented. Thank you Frank and Kane for taking us along. 👍❤️
I actually got an email from one of the locals that worked in the mill when it last ran in 2005. I hope he can take us for a tour and explain how everything worked!
Was girl a real or fake ghosts ?
Frank, All the years ive been watching you i have never seen you so happy as you are with your son. seems you have a good thing going. man i just hope it lasts as long as you want it to.
Hi Frank, after six months at my mine in the Belmont Mountains in Arizona, it is so good to get home and have internet access again. I found Silver and Amethyst galore, and I'm now working on a fire assay for a possible gold ore area. I can work about 250 lbs of silver in a few hours and then this old fart is ready for a break with a cold beer or two. I love this episode, you and your son look to be having a terrific time !! This mine is a beauty - great mineralization, iron staining, what looks like some sulfides, and best of all, awesome views of snot !!! You are doing a good job teaching rope technique and I wish I were there so I could pick up some pointers as well. Great video and a lot of fun !!! Thanks for the tour !!!
Great I hope you get rich beyond your wildest dreams!
@@exploringabandonedmines Thank you Frank, Good Luck in all your escapades !!!
Another excellent explore guys. Those mines are pretty awesome. Cheers from Scottish Borders!
Thanks Brian.......glad you liked it!
You guys make a great duo. Very nice having your son along on the adventures with you.
Another good show Frank and it was nice meeting your son Kane thanks you guys.
Love seeing your son learning from the best!
Damn Frank. I cant get over how amazing your new intro is. very well done..
Thanks.....I love it as well!
Another awesome explore!
Hi Frank & Kane, so cool that you could do that together, that mill looked really cool and it's great to see the inner workings and how things were milled. A brilliant video, thanks for sharing. x
Couldn't sleep so l had to watch this one again! Lots of water!
I couldn't help thinking of Santa going down a chimney with just the beard and boots in the shot at 13:22 lol! You fellers are definitely a thousand times braver than me though and the only way I'll ever see the inside of one these places is by watching these videos. Many thanks from the UK, gents, and stay safe.
AWESOME!! That old ball mill was freaking sweet! Thx for sharing
Great job fellas, nice to see you sharing your passion with your son. I rode motorcycles with my father for many years. We rode BMW's and with a group.
@Ol' Malley's Alley I shared my whole life with my father. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks.
Wow,wow,wow. Thank you Frank. Magnificent scenery/video. I love the special time you had with your son👍🏼❤️.
Lots of water.
Yet another interesting tour, Frank. That indoor waterway makes for some seriously unstable footing, tho, even w/the ropes. The ground just falling away beneath u must've been an ongoing concern in there. Still quite the adventure, even if their blocking up entrances did flood out the lower levels. Thx 4 taking those chances, so we don't have to. In other words, have a good time, but come out alive. Stay safe, now! SRW.
I would like to go back with a Kayak to the lower portal.
SUPER 😎 Father Son adventure! ..and oh yea...BIG BALLS 😁. ROCK ON!!
Frank another great abandoned mine video, that mill had some very interesting engines and equipment. Look forward to seeing more of your video. I wish the uk had cool mines like Canada.
It looks so peaceful on the surface, shows you how much water is moving underground.
Thanks for another video Frank! You're awesome!
Cool video,nice mine,alllot water in,thanks guys.
Frank, thanks for posting sweet footage
Your videos are so cool! I’m so glad I found your channel 😁
I am glad you did too.......tell your friends|
Very good mine. Thank you
That was 👍 great. Thanks Frank . Now I’m waiting for the next one 😎☝️🍺
Very nice explore, the mill looks like it could run again
It would never happen in that location!
great documentation of the mill! be a great museum! was a hell of a lot of water....
Definitely would be worth a shot in the summer.
Really great views and tunnels. The machine at 28:37 is a vacuum pump. This was used primarily to remove the liquids from those big disks seen at 26:44, one set being lead concentrate and the other set zinc concentrate. The big spiral cylinder at 24:30 is called a classifier and it pulled the material that did not pass through the exit screen, (trommel) at ball mill exit, and sent it back to the ball mill for regrinding. The finer the mesh, the better recovery in the flotation cells. The tailings went down a pipe to a bell about 350 feet below surface, (a very deep lake it is) and it layered on the bottom with no oxygen and quite inert. The system was passed by ministry of mines and was actually very effective. The bike is not that old! :-)
Thanks Kirby for all the great information, awesome hearing from someone who worked in the mill and knows the mines in the area. We need to go back and have you be our tour guide!
looks like a compressor to me
Thanks for the info. This stuff is fascinating to me even though it's not everyone's cup of tea.
What were the blocks at 29:20 used for?
OK Kirby lets see how really good you are at the info about the place … So answer the 64 million Dollar Question. And that what we really, really wanna know is ….. Whos Bike Is It and how old is it and was it rode hard or was it rode easy only on Sundays??? …. I like It rofl ;)
This is some amazing footage you guys got here & thanks for that but I must admit that you guys are nuts! 😜
Fascinating! Be safe my man!
When he said, "If you fall...", I was done. Awesome Show! It satisfies my curiosity and imagination from my desk! Thank you Sir!
The Triumph bicycle is the Newest "thing" in the mine around 30 years old. Nice Video!
Hey you all , that is a fantastic big mine . Great job like ever
Totally Right On! Father and Son Video.
Love your videos! If my Dad asked me to go in these scary ass,dangerous as a ........idk ...abandoned mine shaft perhaps? If would bring my dad to get his head examined! You both have king Kong balls! 👍👍
another great video guys and hope to see Cain/Kane again soon. I enjoy the scenery outside the mine as much as the view inside the mines with the misty cloud above the lake there beautiful country.
I have a few more shows with Kane before he goes home!
Another relaxing and enjoyable video. Love your content.
Thanks always 5 star videos !
This is really cool brother and you spending time with your son and all a.
really excellent video. full of interesting information as always. thanks for sharing
The new camera is the coolest. When you go out can you see where the water comes from. That mine is enormous.
That’s a tough mine for your boy. Especially if he doesn’t do this all the time.
Yesssss Father and Son 🙌 Go on Frank and Kane!!
Great channel, amazed how hard men had to work to make a living in mines. Didn't even have high lumen flashlights back then....
No the carbide lamps were not very bright!
!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent show. You sounded disappointed when you got to the bottom and it was flooded.
I was!
Awesome adventure, and I bet it was great to take your son?. It was really nice to see you do some rope work, knots and all. Need more of the safety explanations so there is more of an understanding. brilliant video Frank.
Very cool adventure Frank . = )
Thanks Frank weer een geweldige video
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi you guys Interesting vlog! Thanks Australia
The 360 camera takes some great video. At around the 2 minute mark I would have stayed a bit longer lol. Enjoyed watching and take care.
Another great tour, thanks to Frank and son ltd.
That mill looks in such a good state you could just power it up again & it would mostly work.
At 29:00 is a compressor instead of a hit/miss engine because of the 4 valves on top. Interesting mill.
Actually that is Ingie the vacuum pump! The Ingersoll Rand air compressor, (1907 I think) is at 24:53 and has the bike leaning against it! :-)
Was going to do a route through a mine yesterday, changed plans at the last moment. Today, got a report that the route we were going to do, collapsed yesterday...could have been interesting.
So never put off things til tomorrow that you can do today!
@@exploringabandonedmines I would have had a nice rescue adventure at least :) Would have had to have been taken out of a dog leg shaft to another mine
Streamlight has some pretty good offset helmet lights that clamp to the side if you still wanted a gopro in the middle
Love the videos!
hi there I have a lot of photos of the mines at mascot mine form around 1980 used to be out there almost every weekend
Would love it if you had diffused light. The brightness of the head lamps makes for a strain of a watching experience
You are the first person who has ever said that with over 5,000,000 views! Yes sometimes there is too much light but even worse is when there isn't enough. Then the shutter speed slows down and makes it blurry. You can only expect so much from a low budget operation. I am not Disney!
Exploring Abandoned Mines Yeah haha I know it’s a niche request. Love what you do.
Would love it more if I could see all the details of the close ups of the ores.
Something to consider maybe
I think defused light could still be fairly bright potentially.
You taught me something about cameras
I like your video guys especially that little piece you threw in there at 2 minutes 14 seconds I went the girl walking out of the water Goodwin I was wondering if you were putting it in there to see who would notice it. 👍👍🇨🇦
Everyone noticed her!
It does not make them very dangerous. Good exploration.
I bet it was hard to tack a souvenir. it would be hard for me to. lots of cool stuff
Looked like an old welder and compressor left behind ... wow can’t believe they left that stuff
Cool looking mine. It almost looks as if they planned to start this operation back up at some point in time. Because they took the time to clean everything up.
The equipment does have some good resale value had they not planned on reopening the plant.
They went to a lot of trouble to seal the portal with concrete blocks. There is no tailing pond or anywhere to build one. They would be crazy to think they would ever be allowed to dump tailings into the lake again!
Exploring Abandoned Mines Yes it is surprising that they were able to run this mine as long as they did by doing such environmental damage. Maybe they saw the writing on the wall and simply closed everything up in the mine and then walked away.
In Michigan there is a vast mining area in which a huge lake became the dumping grounds of a vast mining complex. It is a total wasteland right now. There is no hope that this sight will ever be cleaned up.
Ok, I see about the water. You explained it. Ty
Thank you 😊 always interesting
ok who was that at 2:15?!
thanks dudez..great vid!
Lol. I completely missed it lol. The green lights caught my eye. But now I see. PAUSED 😃
@@gregsmht40 footage from a hotspring they visited as a joke was edited in
That mill was run a lot more recently than you think. The mine closed many years ago, and the mill was run for custom milling into the 90s I believe.
It last ran some custom ore in 2005
Man, you're going deep Frank
In the beginning of the adventure, in the tunnel, WHO is the GHOST WOMAN next to the glowing orbs ? lol
@@cap5856 If it's Frank down there with her we all know why she is in her bra ;)
" Holy crap that's a big hole! I wonder where it goes.
Shall we chuck a rock down it, see how deep it is? "
or
" I dunno. Looks a bit rotten to me. Do I wanna chance it? Humm..."
;)
That sneaky boy and his editing lol. We got our first Easter egg.
Looks like he sneaked some footage in from Ainsworth hot springs but it definitely looks like a ghost lady in her bra waiting for Frank in the mine lol
It was a clip of the caves at Ainsworth Hot Springs.......just threw it in there to mess with you guys!
What is with the lady at 2:16 and the green lights?
That mill doesnt look like its been shuttered too long, or someone tried to restart it .
Wow looks like you could turn on the power switch and most everything would start up the hit and miss was an Air Compressor we had one in my old plant where I worked
Great one again, Frank. Is the intro a new version? Very good one.
Yeah we changed it up a bit.
Another Awesome vid … Man that mill was great to see but what a riot it dumps the tailings right into the lake rofl … Did ya by any chance notice any 3 eye fish swimming around maybe or any singing catfish wearing barber clothes asking ya to join a quartet did ya LOL … Thanks Frank for another cool awesome vid :) Well keep your stick on the ice and keep on puck'n around just as long as ya don't get caught it's gonna all turn out good :)
Good Lord, this one was INTENSE! With that roaring waterfall and all the crazy, steep inclines going so deep and on camera looking so iffy as to keeping your footing!! There's one thing though that - again, in this case early into this underground exploration - caught my eye, and that makes me ponder over a practice they had in the day..; if such a roof section would want to cave in or just a good sized chunk of rock would want to come down, I always wonder if a few pieces of tree here and there would stop that happening. Especially in mines that were worked a while l ago, you always see them having jammed in parts of trees (wood stumps? dunno the right English word!) in all kinds of stretching openings (when they were narrow enough to allow doing so) whether in vertical or in any other direction..
Nice dark blue Ram
mining (and mine exploring) is like underground mountain climbing!
there is stuff in that mill from the 90s, like that mountain bike
Nice stellamites!
Stalagmites!
It may be set up largely in the (probably late) 60s or the 70 with of the machines partially from then but it must be more recent that was last used. I am thinking at least halfways in the 80s or more recent?
Your intro is sooo good!
Thanks it is from a documentary we just finished. It will be on TH-cam July 18th!
27:04 to big such a big fella you walk pretty softly. Although I probably would too with a chance of falling threw if I didnt!😂😂
2:13 anybody else see the MINE GHOST GIRL ?
interesting shot at about 2:15 in a woman and glowing green lights in a watery mine... very interesting indeed :)
wow, mine farries, lookd cold in the water x)
Haha!
Pity you got so far down to find it flooded. you should take a few glow sticks with you to drop down some of the deep shafts since a light will only shine so far. Oh and my T-shirt turned up cpl days ago thanks
Thanks for the support I hope you enjoy it!
Great video Frank and Kane.Kane calling you old man when he gets your age some will call him old man maybe his son.How old is Kane.
22
The amount of water flowing in that mine is incredible. Does it flow out somewhere or is it slowly flooding?
If you look at the drone footage you can see it flowing out of the main haul adit close to the mill. At the begining of the video we are walking through a stream.......it is the same water!
The stream that flows under the conveyor then disappears into the ground.
I like the music at the Frank