Mining Swindles

... Both Historical and Recent

copala11502

Dan Plazak - Photo and dog (Tasha) courtesy of John Meyer.

As a geologist, I have long been interested in fraud and deceit in the mining industry.  Although mining fraud is rare today (unfortunately, it is not entirely gone), 100 years ago it was much more common. Until about World War I, fraud played a significant role in American mining history. But when I wanted to read more on the subject, there was no book on the history of mining swindles, so I had to write it myself. The result is A Hole in the Ground with a Liar at the Top, published in 2006 by the University of Utah Press.  

Click here for more information on mining swindles described in my book:
A Hole in the Ground with a Liar at the Top

Upcoming Talk: The Imaginary Gold Mines of Kansas
The Denver Mining Club has been kind enough to invite me to talk on a popular delusion of the 1890s and early 1900s that shales of central Kansas had economic quantities of non-assayable gold.
Monday, February 25, 2008, buffet lunch at 11:30, talk at 12 noon
Country Buffet Restaurant, 8100 W. Crestline, Littleton Colorado (corner of South Wadsworth Blvd.)
No reservations needed.
The general public is always welcome at Denver Mining Club meetings.  

Other Mining Swindles
Click here to learn about some other mining swindles:  Other Swindles
 

Links to Other Websites on Mining Fraud
Click here for other links on mining fraud:  Links

Other Mining History
Click here for links to mining history unrelated to fraud: Other Mining

Link to My Business Website
Mining history is a hobby. I make my living as a consulting geologist and engineer.
For more information, please connect to my
business website

Do you have any comments, corrections, suggestions,
information on any other mining frauds that I should include?
I’d Love to Hear From You About Mining Fraud
Send me an e-mail

10/23/07

[Mining Swindles] [A Hole in the Ground] [Other Mining Frauds] [Mining Fraud Links] [Other Mining History]

10/10/2009