Dirty Devil Uranium Mine, San Rafael Swell – Price, Utah
An exterior view of the Dirty Devil Mine with old mining equipment and a discarded barrel.
The Dirty Devil Mine, located near Emery, Utah, is a notable uranium mining site within the San Rafael Swell Mining District. Discovered in 1951 by W. J. Hannert and John Tomsich, the mine was developed to extract uranium and vanadium ores. The primary host rock for these deposits is the Moss Back Member of the Chinle Formation, characterized by sandstone.
Mining operations at the Dirty Devil Mine involved underground workings, including a shaft reaching depths of approximately 41 meters (135 feet) and extending about 183 meters (600 feet) in length. The ore bodies were typically tabular, measuring around 6.1 meters (20 feet) in length, 4.6 meters (15 feet) in width, and 0.9 meters (3 feet) in thickness.
The mine is situated in the Canyon Lands section of the Intermontane Plateaus, contributing to the unique geomorphology of the region. As of the latest available information, the Dirty Devil Mine is no longer in operation, and there are no known plans for its reopening.
For those interested in exploring the area, the San Rafael Swell offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking and off-road adventures. However, visitors should exercise caution around abandoned mine sites due to potential hazards.