What is commonly called "the Kelly Mine” actually consists of the Traylor, Paschal and Billings shafts, and the Kelly tunnel, originally owned by the Tri-Bullion Smelting and Development Co. and sold to the Empire Zinc Co. in 1913. The property covers 40 claims over 578 acres. Lead and zinc were the main metals mined at Kelly, with lesser amounts of silver, copper and other metals also recovered. The mine is located just north of the townsite of Kelly, NM ... originally called "Middle Camp." 

 

The Tri-Bullion Smelter was also built to process much of the zinc and lead ore "on site."  This vastly increases the mining profits by milling and smelting the ores locally rather than shipping to an outside facility. Today, the tall brick tower is a remnant of the Tri-Bullion Smelter.

Under the ownership of the Empire Zinc Co., the old Billings and Paschal shafts were closed. After 1915, the Traylor shaft, the familiar headframe at the mine today, was the main access to the mine used until its closure in the 1950s. The Traylor shaft is about 1,100 feet deep to access 10 levels of the mine.  Eventually, some of the tunnels and drifts from the nearby mines connected to the Kelly mine workings forming a network of over 30 miles of tunnels.

The mine was idle during the 1921-1922 depression. A 1929 company  report stated that all known pay ore had been removed and nearly exhausted. The exploration required to discover new bodies of ore would be cost prohibitive.

 

Ore was mined at a smaller scale until 1939 primarily from the eastern reaches of the mine. This included considerable oxidized copper ores. Smaller amounts of barite and calcite were found along the quartz cross faults. By the end of the 1930 depression years, future prospects had been deemed so unfavorable that nearly all mill and smelter equipment had been removed from the property and the plant buildings scrapped.

 

There was some production during the WWII war years with the Kelly Mine ceasing operations shortly after that. Today, the Traylor shaft and tunnels are all now closed and sealed for safety.

NOTE: The Kelly Mine is PRIVATE PROPERTY. The owners are very tolerant of visitors who enjoy and appreciate the Kelly mine.

One of the best preserved historic mines in New Mexico. Please respect the property. Do not climb the structures or remove anything. 

 

WARNING: Safety net at head frame over shaft has been vandalized and partially removed. 

                     Shaft is 1,100 ft. deep. Use extreme caution near shaft.  Watch your children.

Have photos?  If you have photos of the Kelly mining district you'd like to share, please let us know here.

Have photos?  If you have photos of the Kelly mining district or of family that worked the mines you'd like to share, please let us know here and we'll add them to these pages.