Ingersoll Mine
Located just outside of Keystone, the Ingersoll Mine is a popular location for hiking, exploring, and searching for precious minerals.
History
Located near what is known today as Keystone, the Ingersoll Mine first started as a mica prospect in 1881. The Harney Peak Tin Company then took over the mine in 1893. In 1915, a massive beryl crystal became exposed, measuring 46 inches across a perfect hexagonal face. After this discovery, miners were very active in this location, finding many precious minerals. During the 1920’s the mine was one of the Black Hill’s main producers of feldspar and other rare minerals. For years after that, many other large beryl crystals were found, with the largest reaching 28 feet long, and 6 feet in diameter. Throughout the years, mica, lithium, feldspar, beryllium, tin, niobium, tantalum, and other material from pegmatites were mined and exported from the area. The mine is no longer active, but people have visited it for ages, looking for the treasures buried within.
Today
Not only is the he Ingersoll Mine is most popular for the abundance of pegmatites found there, but it provides an adventurous environment: from the beautiful hike leading to the mine, to the decaying and graffiti’d mill, and the actual mine itself. Along the hike to the mill, the beautiful woods of the Black Hills are laid out, with the occasional rusted part of an old vehicle laying just off the path.
Once at the mill, multiple levels of the building are able to be explored, that is, with careful footing! Much of the mill is decayed, with scarce roof coverage, and many large holes along the floors and walls. Only the brave dare go to the top level…
Not far along the back side of the mill sits a path. If taken to the right, one large mine opening will eventually be reached. If taken to the left, a few smaller openings to a separate mine can be found, some of which have collapsed. Travelers wanting to go in the mines should bring a headlamp or flashlight of some sort to see the wonderful caves open up. And, of course, caution while exploring!
Precious Minerals
There is a good reason that people have visited the Ingersoll Mine so much. Interesting and rare minerals pop up from time to time that make exploring this area such an adventure! The following are a few of the numerous minerals found in these mines in the past.
A pegmatite is an igneous rock, which means it has been cooled and solidified from magma or lava. More specifically, the composition of a pegmatite should be near completely crystals, measuring a minimum of one centimeter in diameter.
However, not all pegmatites are composed of the same minerals. More commonly found are pegmatites of granite, including quartz, feldspar, and mica. The rock has also been known to hold valuable minerals like spudomene and beryl, and precious gems like tourmaline, aquamarine, and topaz. Many pegmatites have been found in and around the Ingersoll Mine over the years, making it such a popular location!
Sources:
Minerals, Dakota Matrix. "Pegmatites of the Black Hills, South Dakota." Mineral Specimens for Sale by Dakota Matrix, Mineral Dealer. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.
King, Hobart. "Pegmatite." Geology. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.
"Home." Keystone History .com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.
Strutter. "Hiking the Bob Ingersoll Mine Near Keystone." TravBuddy. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.
Located just outside of Keystone, the Ingersoll Mine is a popular location for hiking, exploring, and searching for precious minerals.
History
Located near what is known today as Keystone, the Ingersoll Mine first started as a mica prospect in 1881. The Harney Peak Tin Company then took over the mine in 1893. In 1915, a massive beryl crystal became exposed, measuring 46 inches across a perfect hexagonal face. After this discovery, miners were very active in this location, finding many precious minerals. During the 1920’s the mine was one of the Black Hill’s main producers of feldspar and other rare minerals. For years after that, many other large beryl crystals were found, with the largest reaching 28 feet long, and 6 feet in diameter. Throughout the years, mica, lithium, feldspar, beryllium, tin, niobium, tantalum, and other material from pegmatites were mined and exported from the area. The mine is no longer active, but people have visited it for ages, looking for the treasures buried within.
Today
Not only is the he Ingersoll Mine is most popular for the abundance of pegmatites found there, but it provides an adventurous environment: from the beautiful hike leading to the mine, to the decaying and graffiti’d mill, and the actual mine itself. Along the hike to the mill, the beautiful woods of the Black Hills are laid out, with the occasional rusted part of an old vehicle laying just off the path.
Once at the mill, multiple levels of the building are able to be explored, that is, with careful footing! Much of the mill is decayed, with scarce roof coverage, and many large holes along the floors and walls. Only the brave dare go to the top level…
Not far along the back side of the mill sits a path. If taken to the right, one large mine opening will eventually be reached. If taken to the left, a few smaller openings to a separate mine can be found, some of which have collapsed. Travelers wanting to go in the mines should bring a headlamp or flashlight of some sort to see the wonderful caves open up. And, of course, caution while exploring!
Precious Minerals
There is a good reason that people have visited the Ingersoll Mine so much. Interesting and rare minerals pop up from time to time that make exploring this area such an adventure! The following are a few of the numerous minerals found in these mines in the past.
A pegmatite is an igneous rock, which means it has been cooled and solidified from magma or lava. More specifically, the composition of a pegmatite should be near completely crystals, measuring a minimum of one centimeter in diameter.
However, not all pegmatites are composed of the same minerals. More commonly found are pegmatites of granite, including quartz, feldspar, and mica. The rock has also been known to hold valuable minerals like spudomene and beryl, and precious gems like tourmaline, aquamarine, and topaz. Many pegmatites have been found in and around the Ingersoll Mine over the years, making it such a popular location!
Sources:
Minerals, Dakota Matrix. "Pegmatites of the Black Hills, South Dakota." Mineral Specimens for Sale by Dakota Matrix, Mineral Dealer. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.
King, Hobart. "Pegmatite." Geology. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.
"Home." Keystone History .com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.
Strutter. "Hiking the Bob Ingersoll Mine Near Keystone." TravBuddy. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.