If you love dark, spooky places where you just might encounter a ghost, then you may want to tour a creepy haunted mine. While many mines have been abandoned and are no longer safe to enter, some have been partially restored and are open to intrepid explorers hoping to experience a ghost.
Waldeck Mine
The Waldeck Mine video of demonic sounding disembodied voices caused a lot of controversy. The closed mine is a gold and quartz mine near the Nevada border in Washington, California. The videographer believed it sounds like snakes and never once said it was paranormal. However, critics believe the sound is from an iTunes soundtrack. What do you think? The odd sounds start just after 12:20 on the video.
Maggie Mine
Part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks, the Maggie Mine Ghost Tour is part of the Calico Ghost Town, a silver mining camp turned roadside attraction deep in the desert near San Bernardino. The tour is conducted in low light, adding to a spooky ambience. Rumor has it this 1881 silver mine is haunted, and you'll hear the many stories about the different ghosts. There's a park entry fee and then a fee for each tour: 11 years and older ($3), 5 to 10 years ($2) and 4 and under (free). Park Office: 77 East Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA (909) 387-2757.
Oaks Mining Pit
One of the worst mining disasters in England happened in the Oaks Mining Pit in Barnsley, England in 1866, which is now a historical landmark. For a period of two days, a series of explosions ripped the mine. Three-hundred-sixty-one men and boys died in the mine. The UK Paranormal-X team conducted an investigation and collected evidence of negative energy and even demonic activity. The team concluded that the land itself is cursed. Upon their second investigation, they used a haunted doll and received powerful EMF reading, Rem-pod activity, and various contact from spirits, including one of the team members deceased father.
Tonopah Mining Park
One of the richest mining booms was in Tonopah, Nevada. The mines thrived producing gold, silver, copper, and lead. Up until 1947, the mines continued. However, a fire and then the railroad leaving, left the mining town desolate. Even Howard Hughes, who bought 100 claims in 1968 didn't find the kind of ore riches desired. Today, a few mines still operate.
The website for the Tonopah Mining Park states that paranormal investigators come from around the world. You can visit the Burro Tunnel that leads into a mine. The tunnel goes to a steel cage where visitors can view the mining shaft that drops 500 ft. The Mizpah Mine Shaft has been restored and features a steel grate over the shaft that visitors can stand on and look down the shaft.
Hear about the many ghosts haunting the mines and town when you participate in a guided walking ghost tour. $5 (adults), $3 (seniors), $4 (hotel guest and ages 8 to 17), free (veterans and active duty). Open 7 days a week, winter (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), summer (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Town of Tonopah, 140 S Main Street, Tonopah, NV 89049. (775) 482-6336
San Manuel Magma Copper Mine,
Once the largest underground copper mine in the world, The San Manuel Magma Copper Mine in San Manuel, Arizona is said to be haunted by ghost miners and unexplained lights. One local ghost is called White Boots since the spirit wears a pair of white boots. The entity is said to haunt more than just the San Manual Magma Copper Mine, but many other mines around the world. The mine was closed in 2003, but Arizona began the largest open-pit reclamation project completed in 2006.
Sterling Hill Mine
The Sterling Hill Mine at Ogdensburg, New Jersey was opened in 1897 by the New Jersey Zinc Company and operated until its closure in 1986. During its 90 years of operation, the mine saw nearly 80 deaths. To this day, there are stories of paranormal activity within the mine. Visitors claim to have heard footsteps, voices, or whispers, or have claimed to see shadowy figures or faces in the windows of the remaining buildings outside the mine.
The mine itself has 19 levels, going 2,850 feet deep with 65 miles of tunnels. According to local legend, one of the spirits is a former miner named "Bicycle Pete." The story goes that after the mine closed in 1986, Pete continued riding his bike around town and near the mine. Reportedly, he went missing one day. His bicycle was recovered but that Pete was never seen again. Pete's ghost is said to haunt the mine. According to local legend, if someone yells, "Bicycle Pete" down into the mine, taunting him, Pete might just pull them in and they'll suffer the same fate he did.
The Sterling Hill Mine is available for two-hour mine tours, and also occasionally sponsors 5K races through the mines.
Platteville Haunted Mine
The area around Platteville, Wisconsin played host to lead miners, often immigrants from Wales, Cornwall, Ireland, and Germany. The former Bevans Lead-Zinc Mine at the Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums is said to be home to the ghost of a former miner, as well as the victim of a hanging.
The mine, which opened in 1845, is now part of the history and nature museum in Platteville. Around Halloween, the museum hosts haunted mine tours, and visitors can also ride the 1931 mine train down into the mines to get a sense of working conditions for the miners.
Haunted Mines Around the World
There are haunted mines around the world that have been abandoned. It's advised to never enter an abandoned mine. Instead, find one that allows guided tours to conduct paranormal investigations.
