Unfortunately the abandoned mill is fenced off due to liability issues. (Click on picture for a larger and clearer picture)

On the left edge of the picture you can see one of the towers of the aerial tramway -- follow that to the right and you can see where the ore entered the mill. (Click on picture for a larger and clearer picture)

One of the towers on the aerial tramway, about 2 miles up from the mill.  Two of the ore-carrying buckets can be seen between the towers. In the larger picture, the red brick chimney of the mill is visible below the ore bucket. Behind where I was standing, the aerial tramway goes over a hill for about another mile (see next picture).  The tramway is well-preserved considering that is was last used in the 1930's.(Click on picture for a larger and clearer picture)

The originating end of the aerial tramway.

(Click on picture for a larger and clearer picture)

Just south of the tramway operations is another set of mines.  Though the wood derrick over this mine suggests a fairly old operation, the equipment inside the building suggests an operation that may have been active into the 1950's or 60's. (see next)

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The manual levers for the winch (middle of the picture) suggest a somewhat "primitive" operation, but the electrical switch for the motor is of a relatively contemporary design suggesting that the mine may been in operation in the 50's or 60's.  Just below the switch are three white modules -- these appeared to be transformers of some kind that may have helped in regulating the power for the motor.  I tried to photograph the transformers, but could not find a good spot for doing so. (Click on picture for larger version)

The winch and cable from the control room to the derrick.

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Just about 50' from the above operation was a somewhat more primitive shed and derrick (the derrick is behind the tree on the right side of the picture) for another operation. (Click on picture for larger version)

The winch for this operation seems to have been driven by an internal combustion engine. (Click on picture for larger version)

From inside this same abandoned shack, one gets a sense of the contemporary economy of the area -- irrigated farming.   (Click on picture for larger version)

Just north of Pioche was another very intriguing mining site.  In comparison to other sites, it was very compact and looked well-maintained. Considering the electrical connections here, and the modernity of the transformers (center right), this would seem to have seen some relatively recent use. 

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Another view of the same site. (Click on picture for larger version)

Looking north, across the valley, from the entrance for the mine in the previous photos. (Click on picture for larger version)

Near Pioche is the Castleton area.  There are some mines in that area which appear to be still active, and some very large mines (like the one in the picture) that are inactive.  Inactive mines that are owned by existing corporations are typically fenced off (this one was), mainly to avoid lawsuits due to injury from exploring the mining areas. 

Though not easily visible here, there were large areas of the hillside that had been scoured almost bare by the runoffs from mines such as this.

(Click on picture for larger version)