The main period of activity began with the discovery of tungsten in 1950. Between 1952 and 1955, Mt. Wheeler Mines, Inc., under a Defence Minerals Exploration Administration (“DMEA”) contract. “Exploration has shown that the beryllium minerals occur in a zone that extensds for about 2,500 feet along dip of the outcrop of the “Wheeler Limestone” in Pole Canyon and extends eastward into the strike for above 4,000 feet.”. Between 1952 and 1954, 1,800 tons of ‘rock’ averaging 1.3% WO3 was extracted and milled at Minerva, Nevada, with 75% DMEA sponsorship.
A feasibility study titled “Feasibility Study Mt. Wheeler Mine Beryllium project” was commissioned in 1972 by W.S. Moore Co. which states that “Milling was successfully piloted by the Chicago School of Mines” “From 1959 to 1962, largely through the efforts of the Anaconda Company, an additional 4,475 feet of laterals and sub drifts were driven. Approximately 1,000 samples were taken.” An indicated Tungsten-Beryllium resource was prepared.
The access roads to the mine are all blacktopped except for the last five-mile stretch which is gravel.
