Nevada’s Division of Minerals has released its 2024 Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Physical
Hazard Report, showing both progress and continuing challenges in dealing with the state’s
legacy of abandoned mines.
The AML program, now in its 38th year, is responsible for locating, cataloging, and securing the
dangerous remnants of Nevada’s mining past. Since its launch in 1987, the program has
documented more than 161,000 mine-related features across the state. Of those, over 26,000
were identified as hazardous, and about 21,300 have been secured with fencing, warning signs,
or permanent closure methods.
In 2024, field crews identified 1,033 new hazards and secured 1,169, while also revisiting 1,451
sites to ensure earlier safeguards remain intact. The Division also completed 10 hard-closure
projects across several counties, sealing 183 mine openings permanently with backfills, bat-
compatible gates, or polyurethane foam plugs.
Nevada has not had a reported fatality linked to abandoned mines in 12 years, a streak state
officials consider an important achievement. Still, the report catalogs a long history of accidents,
including serious injuries and deaths, dating back to the 19th century. In modern times,
abandoned mines have trapped off-road vehicles, claimed the lives of hikers and explorers, and
even endangered pets.
Officials warn that abandoned mines remain a serious public hazard. The Division estimates
there are about 300,000 abandoned mining features statewide, with as many as 35,000 posing
significant risks to public safety.
To prevent accidents, the Division has invested heavily in outreach. Its “Stay Out, Stay Alive”
campaign reached 3.2 million people last year through social media, billboards, and classroom
presentations. The campaign even gained national exposure when the Smithsonian Channel
featured Nevada’s abandoned mine closures in a 2024 episode of “How Did They Fix That?”
The Division also relies on student interns, who last year logged over 700 hazards and helped
secure dozens of sites. Contractors and partner agencies such as the Bureau of Land
Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Nevada Department of Wildlife also play a key role in
survey and closure efforts.
The 2024 report shows a sharp increase in activity compared to the previous five years. Hazards
inventoried jumped by 190 percent from the year before, while closures rose 89 percent.
Officials attribute the surge to increased funding from partner agencies, improved use of
technology such as drones and LiDAR for site discovery, and a strategic shift in staffing that
allowed interns to focus on locating new hazards while contractors performed closures.
Despite progress, abandoned mine hazards remain widespread and often hidden across Nevada’s
public lands. Many are located near popular recreation areas, where unsuspecting hikers,
campers, and off-roaders are at risk.
State officials emphasize that the work of securing and closing mines will continue for years to
come. With thousands of hazards still unsecured, the report serves as both a measure of progress
and a reminder of Nevada’s ongoing responsibility to protect public safety while managing its
mining heritage.
The report can be found online at minerals.nv.gov/Programs/AML/AML/.
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