Meikle Mine

Meikle Mine is located in the Bootstrap Mining District, Elko County, Nevada, USA, within the northeastern part of the state. This region is part of the Carlin Trend, one of the world's richest gold-mining areas. The mine is near Carlin, a small city with a population of around 2,368 (as of 2010), situated 23 miles west of Elko along Interstate 80, at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet. The surrounding landscape features the Tuscarora and Independent mountains to the north and the Cortez Mountains and Pinon Range to the south, offering a rugged, mountainous backdrop for mineral enthusiasts.

Meikle Mine is primarily known for its gold production, a key driver of Barrick's Goldstrike operations. However, it also hosts a diverse array of associated minerals, with 49 valid species identified in the Bootstrap Mining District. Notable for collectors are:

• Barite: Known for large, collector-quality crystals up to 25 cm, prized for their size and clarity.
• Calcite: Also occurs in impressive formations, adding to the locality's appeal.
• Cinnabar and Metacinnabar: Vibrant mercury sulfides with unique red hues.
• Stibnite: An antimony sulfide mineral, often found in striking needle-like crystals.
• Other minerals include pyrite, silica, dolomite, chalcopyrite, galena, goethite, hematite, quartz, and sphalerite.

The presence of large solution/collapse cavities and vugs has occasionally yielded spectacular specimens, making Meikle Mine a treasure trove for crystal enthusiasts.

The geological setting of Meikle Mine is complex and fascinating, shaped by tectonic and hydrothermal processes. It is associated with the Roberts Mountain Thrust and features N30-35W folding from the Late Triassic to Late Jurassic periods. Mineralization is linked to a monzonite intrusive body dated 147-162 million years ago, with the best ore found in collapse/hydrothermal breccias. These conditions have created huge solution/collapse cavities and vugs, ideal for the growth of large, well-formed crystals like barite and calcite, offering a rich field for geological study and collection.

Meikle Mine's history began as a mercury prospect in the 1930s, with the Purple Vein being a notable early target. Gold was discovered in 1989 through drilling, leading to shaft development in 1994-1995 and production starting in late 1996, achieving full production by 1997. It became the largest active underground mine in North America at its peak, part of Barrick's Goldstrike operations. From 1996 to 1998, it produced 1,500,063 ounces of gold and 426,030 ounces of silver, with 1996 reserves at 8.5 million tons grading 0.716 oz/ton gold, plus an additional 1.4 million tons at 0.717 oz/ton. The mine continues to operate, utilizing advanced methods like combined mining techniques and autoclave-carbon-in-leach-electrowinning, reflecting its significant role in modern mining.

Carlin, the nearest town, has a rich cultural history tied to railroads and mining. Named after Civil War General William Passmore Carlin, it was initially called "Chinese Gardens" due to gardens planted by Chinese laborers who helped build the Central Pacific Railroad in the late 1860s, making it a vital hub for freight and stage routes. The town is also home to Rolling Thunder (John Pope), a Native American medicine man of Cherokee and Shoshone descent, who was a spiritual adviser to figures like Jerry Garcia and Bob Dylan, featured in the 1971 movie "Billy Jack." With a current population around 2,000, Carlin's identity is shaped by gold mining, with its slogan "Where the Train Stops...And the Gold Rush Begins" reflecting its dual role as a transportation and mining gateway.

The climate around Meikle Mine is semi-arid, typical of the Great Basin region, with hot summers and cold winters. Annual high temperatures average 61ºF (16ºC), while lows drop to 36ºF (2ºC), with an average annual precipitation of 12.98 inches (329.7 mm), mostly as snow in winter. The ecology features desert and semi-desert vegetation, including sagebrush, grasses, and drought-resistant shrubs, with occasional pinyon pine and juniper at higher elevations. The Humboldt River and local creeks like Maggie and Mary's Creeks provide vital water sources, supporting both wildlife and the community, adding to the area's natural allure for mineral enthusiasts.