• Who We Are

    The Mining History Association (MHA) is an organization of individuals interested in the history of mining and metallurgy. Members include independent scholars, laypersons, college and university professors, historians, miners, geologists, retired mining industry personnel, and many others.

     

     

    What We Do
    The MHA holds an annual meeting with presentations on mining history topics, amazing field trips to historical mining sites, and an array of social functions; publishes a scholarly journal and a quarterly newsletter; and provides a forum for networking and discussion of the history of mining both on-line and off-line.

     

    Why is Mining History Important?

    History buffs from academics to amateurs are frequently asked what they like about mining history. CLICK HERE to see how MHA members are answering these questions.

    We invite you to join us today in the

    discovery of our mining past!


    Mining History Association Annual Conference

     Conference information

    CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

    34th Annual Conference Mining History Association
    Park City, Utah - June 5-9, 2024

    The 2024 Program Committee of the Mining History Association invites proposals for individual presentations or complete sessions (including a Chair) on any topic or aspect of the history of mining, its associated industries, and its communities. There are no temporal or geographic limits to topic material. Presentations that address the mining history of Park City or of Utah in general are, however, particularly welcome given the location of the conference. Sessions normally include three papers of twenty minutes each. All presenters must register for the conference. Proposals should include the title of the presentation, an abstract (not to exceed 500 words) for each presentation, and biographical information about each presenter, including their mailing/email address. Please send the written proposals via email attachments to Brian Leech at brianleech@augustana.edu by Friday, January 5. 2024. Submission by email is required.

    TRAVEL GRANTS FOR STUDENTS

     

    The program committee will also give out two conference travel grants of $750 each to defray the costs of attendance at this year’s MHA conference. Current students (including graduate students) and former students are potentially eligible for a travel grant. To be eligible, former students need to have graduated within three years of their application for funding. Travel grant recipients must give a presentation at the conference. To be considered for a conference travel grant, submit a cover letter addressed to the MHA Park City Program Committee, along with your proposal by Friday, January 5, 2024 to brianleech@augustana.edu. In that cover letter, the applicant should express their interest in the grant opportunity, what they hope to gain out of their conference attendance, and what significance their presentation is to mining history as a field.

     

    SOCORRO 2023 PHOTO GALLERIES ARE NOW ONLINE

     

    BIRMINGHAM 2022 PHOTO GALLERIES ARE NOW ONLINE



    TAKE A VIRTUAL MINING HISTORY TOUR

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    Support Mining History

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    Click on the DONATE button to make a donation to the Mining History Association via the secure Square payment system.


    New on the Web

     

    National Miners Day.  Congress has designated December 6th, as National Miners Day to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices of miners past and present.

     

    Saint Barbara’s Day. In many parts of the world, December 4th is celebrated as the feast day of Saint Barbara.  She is the patron saint of miners as well as artillerymen, military engineers, tunnellers, and others who work with explosives. Shrines to St. Barbara have been erected at many mines where she is venerated.  In parts of Europe, the feast day is celebrated with parades of miners and bands appearing in historic mining uniforms.  CLICK HERE to learn more about the Saint Barbara tradition.

     

    2023 National Mining Hall of Fame Inductees.  This year’s Induction Banquet was held at the Gaylord Rockies, Aurora, Colorado on October 28, 2023.  The inductees were Richard Adkerson, Carolyn Loder, E. Morgan Massey (1926-2021), Albert E. Reynolds (1840-1921), and Dennis Washington.  The 2023 Prazen Living Legend of Mining Award was presented to Mining History Association member, Richard “Dick” Beech.  Check the website for their impressive biographies.

     

    The Death of Ron Limbaugh.  Ronald H. Limbaugh, Past-President of the Mining History Association, passed away on August 13, 2023.  Ron was Professor of History, Director of Holt-Atherton Pacific Center for Western Studies, and Director of the John Muir Center for Regional Studies at the University of the Pacific. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees and PhD from the University of Idaho.  His research focused on the history of the environment, California, and mining. 

     

     

    Mining History Journal Index.  The online index to the Mining History Journal has been updated to include all 1994-2023 issues.  CLICK HERE for a quick look or use the link on the Journal web page.


    Copper Range Rails.  Cecil Cook was a long-time MHA Member, railroad buff, and author.  Sadly, he passed away in 2021 at 90 years of age leaving unfinished manuscripts and a large collection of photographs from his research is the Michigan Copper Country. His son, Archie Cook, and grandson, Ryan Cook, have self-published Cecil’s manuscripts and photos in “Copper Range Rails.”  Copies of the 431-page book are available from the Houghton County Historical Society in Lake Linden, Michigan. 


    MHA Nuggets Schedule For 2023-2024.          Join us for the “MHA Nuggets” on-line programs the third Tuesday of the month, 7:00 PM Central Time.  ZOOM in and visit with your MHA friends and hear some interesting mining history presentations.

         September 19, 2023
    848 2185 8185  - Colorado's Crystal Mill  - Jane Bardall
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84821858185?pwd=ZlFMNWlmd1o4WHNBaGZNb2tuNUtRdz09

    October 17, 2023
    841 9530 2092 - Raise, Lift, Elevate: The Soudan Underground Mine #8 Shaft Rehabilitation Project - Sarah Guy-Levar
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84195302092?pwd=THZOdUM5S2YvRzJpUVBDMnNYUm5GUT09

    November 14, 2023
    839 6335 4588 - "The British Hollow Lead Smelter in Grant County, WI"  - Tracey Roberts
         https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83963354588?pwd=Yi9XMzNlVXZlQkFDQlgyOVRQUlRRQT09

    Interested in giving a presentation? Contact Barb Clements for more information.  Check the MHA Facebook page for up-to-the-minute log-in codes, program additions and changes.  Past "Nuggets" sessions and presentations are on YouTube under Mining History Association.

     

    Hydraulic Mining Photo Collection Digitized. The California Historical Society has recently digitized a collection of photographs by John A. Todd that deal with Hydraulic Mining in Nevada, Sutter, and Yuba Counties, 1836-1897.


    David Wolff Honored. David A. Wolff, Past President of the MHA and Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2028 Deadwood, SD Conference, recently received the highest award from the South Dakota State Historical Society. The Robinson Memorial Award, a Governor’s award, recognizes David’s lifetime of outstanding and meritorious service.

    Mining History Journal 2020 Now Online. CLICK HERE

    New MHA Brochure Available.  The new tri-fold MHA Brochure can now be downloaded (CLICK HERE). Feel free to print as many two-sided copies as you need and pass them along to any organizations and people who share an interest in mining history and are potential MHA members.

    Tell Rockhounds About Mining History.  There are many rock, mineral, gem, and lapidary clubs located across the country.  Their members often share an interest in mining history and learning where their minerals came from.  A new MHA business card helps introduce the members of these clubs to the MHA and the photo galleries of historical mines available on the website.  The cards can easily be printed using business card stock (Avery 8371, Staples Heavyweight Business Cards, etc.) available at office supply store (Staples, Office Depot, and others).  You can CLICK and download the MS-Word files for the Front Side and the Reverse Side.  After printing the front side just flip the paper over and print the back side.  Give the cards to your local clubs and offer to make a short presentation at their meetings.


     

     

    Can’t find a “New on the Web” item?  Try the Archives.

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