Lost Mines

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.