Near Nixon in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Guanomi Mine

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 25, 2016

1. Guanomi Mine Marker

Inscription. This site contains natural springs that were once used by the Tribe for cultural purposes. The springs have been destroyed from years of accumulated mine waste. The mine was active in the 1920s with low metal production. It has been abandoned since the 1950s leaving acid mine drainage from tailings piles and open adits. The mining operation created 150 feet of underground workings that have been collapsed. The acid mine drainage produced from underground mining at the site flowed directly into Pyramid Lake, the center of the Tribes existence.
The lake is supporting endangered and threatened species that are still part of the Paiute peoples diet and traditional heritage. A reclamation plan includes redirecting surface flows which are contained in created and existing wetlands at the site. Soil amendments with lime and topsoil have been added to minimize the effects of pH on the biological life. Revegetation of the site does require plant species that are salt and heavy metal tolerant. The tailings are being contained in the old railroad bed to reduce oxidation. Capping and revegetating are done to reduce the water rcontact

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

with the active tailings.
Pyramid Lake is a natural & cultural resource for the Pyramid Paiute people. The Tribe has depended on the lake for thousands of years to provide for their existence and is working to improve the environment for generations to come.
The co-operation of all these agencies listed below have made this important reclamation project possible.

Erected by Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe; University of Nevada, Reno; Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management; State of Nevada, Division of Minerals.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Resources.

Location. 39° 50.772′ N, 119° 27.282′ W. Marker is near Nixon, Nevada, in Washoe County. It is on Sutcliffe Highway (Nevada Route 446) near Pyramid Lake Road ( Route 445), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nixon NV 89424, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada,

in the Lake Tahoe Basin,

and in Greater Reno Area.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 25, 2016

2. Guanomi Mine Marker

Old mining structure is on the left, in the distance.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kooyooe Panunadu - Pyramid Lake (approx. 7.1 miles away).

More about this marker. The mine and marker are located on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.