Donnebrouge Mine

Beyond this marker, the "head frame" for the mine still stands while most of the other structures were destroyed over time.<br><br> Extensive vertical shafts or "winzes" are honey-combed throughout the area, some of which are reportedly as deep as 1700 ft. These shafts were used to access the gold bearing quartz.<br><br> Known as a hard rock mine, the "pay dirt" was brought to a stamp mill, where the ore was crushed and an amalgamation process was used to separate the gold from the rock using mercury. It is said this mine produced millions of dollars in gold ore in its lifetime.<br><br> Last mined in the 1950's the shafts are now flooded by water from the Yuba River.