New Mexico Museum of Mining - Grants, New Mexico - Unique Museum of Uranium Mining

In 1950, a Navajo rancher named Paddy Martinez discovered uranium in the Grants, New Mexico area. At that time, the U.S. was gathering the mineral for its nuclear weapons arsenal, and mining companies quickly hurried to dig up all of the uranium they could. What they found was one of the world's largest uranium reserves.

Today, the New Mexico Museum of Mining offers visitors an opportunity to explore a replica of a uranium mine known as "Section 26.'' It has been careful re-created with mine shafts, drilling tools, and blasting equipment, plus informational panels describing the often dangerous conditions of uranium mining.

Self-guided tours of the "Only Uranium Mining Museum in the World'' begin in the ground floor gallery. On display are gems and minerals, along with exhibits of railroad operations, logging, and ranching connected with mining. After a descent via the "cage'' down the main shaft, visitors disembark at a station where workers, equipment, and ore enter and leave the mine. An underground lunchroom, depictions of drilling and blasting techniques, and the steplike "open stope'' are featured.

The New Mexico Museum of Mining is located at 100 North Iron Avenue, Grants, New Mexico 87020-3657. It is open from 9am to 4pm on weekdays and Saturdays; closed on Sundays and national holidays. The cost of admission for adults age 19~59 is $3; seniors and students pay $2 each; and children age six and under are admitted free of charge.