Mining was and still is an important industry of the forest region. The
mines of Telluride and Ophir, in San Miguel County, have been heavy
producers. Telluride, with its famous Liberty Bell, Smuggler Union, and
Tomboy mines, is still one of the producing camps of southwestern
Colorado. Figures furnished by the United States Bureau of Mines place
the total ore production of these camps during the period 1875 to 1937,
inclusive, at $119,349,969. The output for 1930 to 1937, inclusive, was
$2,539,940.
Rico, the principal mining camp of Dolores County, reached the peak of
production in 1893, when ores to the value of $2,696,371 were mined. The
total output of mines in that vicinity since 1879 is placed at
$20,574,557.
Mining claims may be located in the national forests wherever ores of
sufficient value to justify development are found. Legitimate mining is
encouraged by the Forest Service.