Danger, Happy Jack Mine, Utah, USA

8”x10” palladium print from original 6x7 medium format negative

1/15 Limited Edition available.

On January 1st, 1960, the mill at the Happy Jack Mine was closed permanently by the Atomic Energy Commission. The mill tailings were stabilized by 1962 and the mill was dismantled in 1964. Everything was left as it had been when the site was abandoned, down to makeshift lunch tables inside the mine. In the 1990’s, the site was for sale and was purchased by a private owner after his wife said “she wanted a mine”.

The new owners set about securing the mine. Open adits were closed off and dangerous areas with extremely high radon concentrations of up to 2000 working levels were allowed to collapse. To prevent trespassers entering the mine, the owners erected this fence and warning signs to alert members of the public to the dangers that lie within.