Carlin Gold Trend Talk: History, Mining & Murder

Gold Mine History:
Murder, Mayhem & Geology too!

Mine History Presentations by author, geologist, and Tekoa native Dean Heitt at local libraries

Dean Heitt, returns to our region to share his new book, “Before the Gold: Early Mining History of the Carlin Trend 1874-1961”. Free community presentations are Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Tekoa Library and Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Colfax Library.

Heitt’s book details the long and storied past of The Carlin Trend, including the colorful stories of the people who worked there and their connection to the murder of a local constable.

Overlooked by the ‘49ers in their rush for California Gold, The Carlin deposit was not significantly mined until 1965. Today, The Carlin Trend is one of the largest mining districts in the world, producing over 90M ounces of gold, “Spirit Ore” and the largest turquois nuggets found in Nevada.

Dean Heitt in the north area of the Carlin Trend, Mining Quarterly

Dean Heitt graduated from Tekoa High School, then studied geology at Eastern Washington University receiving his Bachelor and Master’s degrees. He began working for the Newmont Mining Corporation on the Carlin Trend in 1988 working briefly as an open pit mine geologist and an underground geologist before moving into project development. Heitt concluded his career with Newmont this year as Manager for Near Mine Exploration and Project development in Nevada. In retirement, he is enjoying on woodturning, woodworking, photography, and researching future projects.

Copies of Heitt’s book will be available for cash purchase or you can learn more at shop.southernnevadaconservancy.org. For more information about the presentations, contact Whitman County Library at 509-397-4366 or toll free at 877-733-3375.