Billy Boy

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The most complete guide to Southern Nevada's mining history.

Billy Boy Mine. Ivanpah, California.

35°18'11.20"N 115°30'27.86"W
USGS Full Report

Primary Mining: Gold
Secondary Mining: Copper, Zinc, Silver

Billy Boy Mine is located Southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. Nearest town is Nipton, California. Primary mining in the area included: Gold, copper, lead, silver, and zinc.

Billy Boy Mine is located within the Mojave National Preserve. Trail conditions to and around this area are much better than I'm familiar with in Nevada. Most of the way to these mines is easily accessible from the paved main road. Most trails to the local mines are a short trip from pavement. These trails are so well maintained, any high clearance vehicle could access most areas without 4 wheel drive.

Around this mine, we noticed several baby rattle snakes around 8-10 inches long. I would suspect they were recently hatched. Especially around Spring, be very mindful where you step. They blend in quite well.

Just outside the mine is a well-weathered camping trailer that's been there a while. It's been picked through many times over the years, but felt structurally sound. If you take some time to walk the hill above and the wash below, there are many more relics to hold, but as mentioned, be very mindful of snakes in the area.

There are two levels , two collars and one portal to this mine. The highest collar shaft has some depth, maybe 60-80 feet before it ends and levels to a short drift (horizontal passage dug within the mine).

The portal at the lowest level winds about 20 yards into the mountain before terminating at the shaft of the second level. We suspected that the shaft from the highest level would connect to the drift of the second. It was being worked in that direction, but the mine was abandoned before the connection was made.

On the first level, we found a circular disk that felt like it was made of wood and covered with a thin metal. The best picture of it can be seen in row five of the gallery below. We weren't able to make sense of the painted image or its purpose.

This mine has been sealed with sturdy bat gates within the past few years. As far as we've been able to research, these are the only images of the mine interior. Structurally, there isn't much of interest inside, so just enjoy the pictures and know I saved you some time and energy. Do not alter or remove mine safety barriers or devices.