Lost mines are a popular form of lost treasure legend. The mine involved is usually of a high-value commodity such as gold, silver or diamonds. Often there is a map (sometimes called a "waybill") purportedly showing the location of the mine. Common reasons given for the mines being lost include:
The mine is discovered and worked by a recluse who refuses to divulge the location, and dies without revealing the location.
The mine is worked by native peoples who refuse to divulge the location to others.
The mineral deposit is discovered in a remote location, and upon returning to the area the discoverer cannot find it again.
The discoverer dies of hunger, thirst, or exposure shortly after discovering the deposit, and his body is found with rich ore specimens in his possession.
The discoverers are killed by hostile natives. Sometimes the natives cover up the entrance to the mine.
In Spanish colonies in the New World, many lost mines were supposedly worked under the direction of Jesuit priests before their sudden expulsion in 1767.
Some lost mine legends have a historical basis; some have none. But the lure of lost mine legends is attested by the many books on the subject, and the popularity of publications such as Lost Treasure magazine.
Legends of lost mines are probably worldwide. Those listed below are just a sampling.
King Solomon's Mines
Lasseter's Reef (Never actually mined)
Sacambaya mine
Muribeca mine
Lost Lemon Mine, Alberta
Pitt Lake gold find, British Columbia
Jolly Jack's Lost Mine, British Columbia
Lost McLeod Mine, Northwest Territories
Johanssen's Lost Platinum Cache, British Columbia
Foster's Lost Mine, Vancouver Island
Lost Christie Lead, British Columbia
Lost Silver Lead of Monashee Creek, British Columbia
Chivor mine, an emerald mine lost for 200 years, then found again.
Lost diamond mine of Vicente Guerrero
Lost Naranjal mine, Durango
Planchas de Plata, Sonora, (sometimes called Bolas de Plata). Periodically assumed to be "lost," although the location is well documented.
Tayopa silver mine, Sonora
In the 19th century, gold fever was prevalent in the Ural region near Ekaterinburg. There are many legends of the lost mines, for example in Mamin-Sibiryak's stories.
There are many modern stories of lost diamond mines in the Yakutia region of north and northeast Russia
Lost Padre mine, various locations in USA
Lost Cabin mine, various locations in USA
Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, Arizona
Mine with the Iron Door, Arizona
Lost Pegleg mine, California; supposedly found by mountain man "Pegleg" Smith
Lost Breyfogle mine, California or Nevada
The Lost Cement Mine, California
The Lost Dutch Oven Mine, California
Death Valley Scotty's secret mine, California or Nevada
Lost Gunsight mine, California or Nevada
Lost Pin, Delta County, Colorado
Recluse Goatherder's Gold Mine, Colorado
Three Skeletons, La Plata County, Colorado
The Wheelbarrow Mine, Idaho
Swift's silver mine, Kentucky
Yocum silver mine, Stone County, Missouri
The Lost Sheepherders Mine, Nevada
Lost Adams Diggings, New Mexico or Arizona
Lost Blue Bucket Mine, Oregon
Two Frenchmen Mine, Oregon
Lost Nigger Gold Mine, Texas
San Saba mine (sometimes called the Lost Bowie mine or the Lost Almagres mine), Texas
Lost Rhoades mine, Utah
Danville's Lost Gold Ledge, Washington (state)
Janni's chimney, Washington (state)
Lost Doukhobor Ledge, Washington (state)
The Agatha Christie Poirot short story "The Lost Mine" features the topic of a map revealing the location of a lost mine in Burma being stolen in London, and its carrier murdered.
