Ruby Hill in the 21st century
Ruby Hill was first discovered in 1869. By early 1870s, a small mining camp developed and in 1873 a post office was opened. In 1875, the Ruby Hill Railroad began operations, used primarily to deliver ore to smelters in nearby Eureka. This railroad was in operation before the Eureka & Palisade reached Eureka. By 1878, Ruby Hill had a population of 2500 and two newspapers. During the 1880s, mine production began to falter and by 1885, only 700 residents remained. Population continued to decline and the post office finally closed in 1901. Activity in the area continued periodically after that time. Today, spurred by good gold prices, exploration and mining have continued and expanded.
Ruby Hill Photos
These pictures below were taken at the old Ruby Hill Mine on 10/14/2003 and 06/02/2004 by Robin L. Stenovich.
Robin says, "From what I could see it would take very little work to make all of the equipment operational. Of course, none of it would meet today's safety standards. I have visited mines all over the western US. None of them came even close to this mine in being awe inspiring. I am not sure, but I believe the engines are from WWI subs."
These pictures below were taken at the old Ruby Hill Mine on 10/14/2003 and 06/02/2004 by Robin L. Stenovich.
Robin says, "From what I could see it would take very little work to make all of the equipment operational. Of course, none of it would meet today's safety standards. I have visited mines all over the western US. None of them came even close to this mine in being awe inspiring. I am not sure, but I believe the engines are from WWI subs."
Ruby Hill Today
After the 1980s, The Ruby Hill mining area sat dormant for a number of years. In 1997, Homestake Mining Company sought and received a permit to establish on open-pit mine at the old mine site. Plans called for the mine to be in production by 1998, employing more than 100 workers. The mine life was initially estimated at seven and one-half years.
Homestake built 29 single-family dwellings and apartments for the company's employees on the northwest end of town. Homestake hired a number of contractors to assist with the mining operations. Ledcor Company, The Industrial Company (TIC), AMI Construction of Winnemucca, Travco Industries and United Steel Structures were all involved at Ruby Hill.
Ruby Hill produced 28,284 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2000 and reported the lowest cost per ounce of all the mines in operation by Homestake. The mine also received the best safety-performance awards in the company.
Barrick Gold Corporation acquired the Homestake Mining Company in 2001. They continued to mine at Ruby Hill and also began reclamation work, while still mining. Barrick Gold stopped mining at Ruby Hill in 2002, as low gold prices and other factors forced a slowdown in mining throughout Nevada.
As the gold market improved, Barrick resumed mining at Ruby Hill in 2006, and the first gold was poured in 2007. Today, open-pit mining continues on the East Archimedes deposit, near the edge .of the town of Eureka. The mine poured its one-millionth ounce of gold in July 2009. This total includes only the gold produced from 1997 to 2009, with the mine closed for a few years during this time.
This makes Ruby HIll Mine, started in 1860, one of the longest-lived mines in the state of Nevada.
Courtesy of Northeastern Nevada Historical Society Quarterly
Homestake built 29 single-family dwellings and apartments for the company's employees on the northwest end of town. Homestake hired a number of contractors to assist with the mining operations. Ledcor Company, The Industrial Company (TIC), AMI Construction of Winnemucca, Travco Industries and United Steel Structures were all involved at Ruby Hill.
Ruby Hill produced 28,284 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2000 and reported the lowest cost per ounce of all the mines in operation by Homestake. The mine also received the best safety-performance awards in the company.
Barrick Gold Corporation acquired the Homestake Mining Company in 2001. They continued to mine at Ruby Hill and also began reclamation work, while still mining. Barrick Gold stopped mining at Ruby Hill in 2002, as low gold prices and other factors forced a slowdown in mining throughout Nevada.
As the gold market improved, Barrick resumed mining at Ruby Hill in 2006, and the first gold was poured in 2007. Today, open-pit mining continues on the East Archimedes deposit, near the edge .of the town of Eureka. The mine poured its one-millionth ounce of gold in July 2009. This total includes only the gold produced from 1997 to 2009, with the mine closed for a few years during this time.
This makes Ruby HIll Mine, started in 1860, one of the longest-lived mines in the state of Nevada.
Courtesy of Northeastern Nevada Historical Society Quarterly
Ruby Hill Mine Pit 2021
Ruby Hill Mine Pit 2009
Click here for the
2021 Mining History Association Tour of the Eureka Mining District, Eureka, Nevada by tour leader Richard Reid.
mininghistoryassociation.org/EurekaTour1.htm
2021 Mining History Association Tour of the Eureka Mining District, Eureka, Nevada by tour leader Richard Reid.
mininghistoryassociation.org/EurekaTour1.htm
Ruby Hill above the main lower mine area.
