Ninetynine Mine

Amidst the rugged terrain south of Las Vegas, Nevada, lies the Ninetynine Mine. A silent testament to a bygone era of mining booms and Hollywood tragedies. The Ninetynine Mine operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It primarily yielded copper, along with zinc, vanadium, silver, gold, and lead. Today, the mine itself stands in a precarious state, deemed unsafe for exploration. The lower portal gate, once protecting the entrance, has been vandalized, revealing a mere 20-30 yard main adit leading to a collapsing stope and poorly shored shaft. While the mine’s interior remains inaccessible, its surface tells a different story. Here, remnants of the past lie scattered, including impressive copper specimens weighing over 20 pounds. The quantity of discarded copper hints at the mine’s primary focus, despite the diverse range of minerals extracted. The Ninetynine Mine gained notoriety in 1942, not for its mineral wealth, but for its role in a tragic event. Following the crash of TWA Flight 3 on nearby Mount Potosi, the Ninetynine Mine cabin served as the forward base camp for the recovery effort. Among the victims was actress Carole Lombard, wife of Clark Gable. Gable remained at a local bar in Goodsprings, anxiously awaiting news as the recovery operation unfolded. The Ninetynine Mine stands as a poignant reminder of both the area’s mining legacy and a somber chapter in Hollywood history. The mine’s current state underscores the passage of time, while the surrounding landscape holds echoes of a tragic event that forever linked this remote location to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age.