Join us for an exciting day spent digging through your own private ore pile in search of native copper, silver, datolite, quartz, feldspar, calcite and epidote!!

Souvenirs

Fee digging

The mine is open for mineral collecting June through September. A limited number of days and spots are available by advance registration only. See CALENDAR for dates.
**Minimum numbers are required for the event to be offered.**

Private ore pile (advance reservations only)

Morning event

Commercial mining in the 1950s left thousands of tons of broken ore behind. We will build you a private ore pile from this source. Knowledgeable staff will be there to help, and water is provided for exposing and rinsing your finds. You will have approximately 3 hours to go through your pile. Anything you find in your pile is yours to keep. Plan on bringing your own collecting and safety gear. We will have gear for rent or purchase by advance request.

Ore pile sizes and prices

$50 Approximately 2+ cubic yards, suitable for 1 or 2 people.

$100 Double load, suitable for 3 or 4 people.

Go to calendar and reservation page

An optional underground mine tour may be offered soon. This is still in the developmental stage.

Amenities available for your use

A beautiful pavilion with picnic tables is available for no extra charge.

Rest out of the sun, bring a lunch, relax and enjoy the beautiful valley view!

A Port-o-john is available to keep the experience from being too primitive!!

Safety and collecting gear

Safety Glasses (Required)

Gloves (Required)

Mason or Rock Hammer, Sledgehammer (no household or carpenter hammers)

Digging Tools

Chisels

Buckets, Bags

Metal Detector

Rental per event

$12 Bucket containing 2 rock hammers, hand digging tools and bags.

$5 Large hoe

Reservations

FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED WITH RESERVATIONS.

See calendar page for available dates and reservation form

Refunds of 75% will be promptly made if we have notification at least 2 weeks prior to your reservation dates. Cancellation notification must be made by mail, fax, or e-mail ONLY.

We accept Visa, Mastercard or checks.

Gift shop

Visit our gift shop at Gitche Gumee Landing, 202 Ontonagon St., Ontonagon, Michigan (at the north end of River Street) to see a great selection of gift items including copper specimens, all sorts of interesting copper items, and many other minerals from Michigan and the world. We also carry locally made Upper Peninsula Candles, highly scented candles in ceramic crocks, a variety of unique rock and mineral candle holders, votives, and other candles. There are also a variety of lovely jewelry items and many other gift items as a souvenir for yourself or for another. Also for sale are publications by Great Lakes Geoscience including Copper Country Road Trips, Self-Guided Geological Field Trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, and others.

Visit the U.P. Candle site

Souvenirs

Contact us

The Caledonia Mine – Red Metal Minerals

Richard Whiteman
202 Ontonagon Street
Ontonagon, MI 49953
Phone 906-884-6618
Fax 906-884-6753
E-mail caledoniamine@charter.net