Cyanide and other such harmful chemicals were used. Let's not mention hydraulic mining. That said, the history, the left over relics, and such are interesting

Cyanide and other such harmful chemicals were used. Let's not mention hydraulic mining. That said, the history, the left over relics, and such are interesting to explore. Empire Mine in Nevada City/Placerville is worth visiting. Sixteen-to-one up in Alleghany (an interesting drive) is still active and on my list to visit. One of my favorite tidbits from the general Sierra / Plumas / Nevada County area is the Engel Copper Mine. There was a narrow gauge rail road that brought the copper ore down to Keddie which was then loaded onto the Western Pacific. Wikipedia says it was hauled out to Utah to be smelted down, locally people say it was brought down what is now SR-70 / the canyon (where the Camp Fire that decimated Paradise started) to Sacramento/The Bay Area for processing.