ORONOGO CIRCLE MINE, ORONOGO, JASPER CO., MO
On June 5, 2002 we made a stop in Oronogo, MO, which is just north of Joplin, to check out what may be the only remaining mine dump in the Joplin area. It’s located on the east side of County Road MM, south of Highway 96. The mine shaft is on the west side of the road.
Although
I saw no gates or signs, I was advised by an individual across the road that
trespassers were being prosecuted. I therefore limited myself to walking along
the shoulder of the road to the left of the picture, which is of the entrance
to the dump. I picked up a couple of rocks that contained massive Galena, some
Quartz crystals and Asphaltum. At first I thought the Asphaltum was from the
road paving, since the rocks were close to the road, but on breaking them open
at home found that it was also inside.