FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[John Cesar]

While the recent events in Tucson have been far more tragic, the loss of the Glove Mine is still a loss to the mineral collecting community. New specimens from the Glove Mine have been few and far between for years but the mine was still a great location to visit.

Early last week a "spark" from a U.S. Forest Service contractor's welder ignited a fire in the main shaft. According to newspaper reports the fire was left to burn itself out. As of yesterday the heat was still evident at the collar.

It is unfortunate that the contractor apparently did not know or did not follow routine safety procedures when doing metal cutting and welding around a timbered shaft nor did they know much about mine ventilation.

One picture shows the burned-out collar and the incomplete "public and bat protection" closure being installed. There are other closures scattered about the hill side each containing the sign shown in the second picture. Take note of the irony in what the sign states.

I am all for public safety and understand the need to secure some old workings. I also support bat protection (they visit our house on a seasonal basis) but this "accident" should not have happened.