(86) Millmen Organization 20 year Anniversary

 

2021 is the 20^th year of the Millman Program out of Phoenix, Arizona. All 87 Millmen and 16 Millwrights are celebrating the Millman Program that was started in April of 2001. The first certifications were conducted at the Mariposa Historical Society in Mariposa, CA back in April of 2001 on the Golden Key 5-stamp mill. There was a group, known as the Monday Crew that consisted of (15) volunteers of which (7) individuals were present and conducted the hands on operations of the stamp mill. See the picture below of the stamp mill the training was conducted on.

The picture below shows the first group of volunteers receiving their certificates from the training at the Mariposa Historical Society. Our instructor was “Smokey” with the cowboy hat, a local experienced mill operator.

This is where the program got its start, thanks to the folks at Mariposa. The hands on training at Mariposa helped the Monday Crew understand how the mill was operated and added to the restoration process.   The first millmen in the program were volunteers at the now shutdown Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The Swallow Mine 5-Stamp mill, 17 miles north of Wickenburg, AZ was located in April 1996 and it took four years to get it moved to the museum due to its location and rough terrain on a 17 mile dirt road. The move of the stamp mill to the museum was started in April 2000 and restoration completed in April 2007.This was the culmination of approximately (7) years to complete the restoration. The picture below shows the Swallow Mine 5-Stamp Mill restored in operation at the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum:

 

Millman Certifications (87)

We have certified individuals in California, Nevada, Montana, Colorado and Arizona. We presently have potential Millman volunteers at Gold King Mine & Ghost Town in Jerome, AZ; Dewey Humboldt Museum in Dewey, AZ; Donovan 30-Stamp Mill in Gold Hill, NV; Julian Museum, Julian, CA; Washington Stamp Mill, Breckenridge, CO that are working towards their millman certification.

 Millwrights Certifications (16)

We started a Millwright certification program in 2014. These individuals have obtained their millman certifications, but went on the work at different mills and take a leadership roles with the junior and millmen in training.

 Both certifications are "on going" training and we learn new things about stamp mills as we go. The initial training ensures that the individual is capable of performing millmen tasks and gives them a basic knowledge of the process. As everyone goes on and operates the stamp mill they learn more about the process. If you ask a millman if he or she knows everything about stamp mills I would be surprised if they said they did. I have been doing this for over 25 years and still learning.  This is a team activity and we all look out for each other to ensure we are operating safely.

 We have certified all ages, as young as early 20's to over 80 years of age and of course ladies. Applicants should be at least 21. The picture below shows our most recent 23 year old Millman, at the Cave Creek Museum, Cave Creek, AZ receiving her certificate. In the picture off, to the right, is the Golden Reef 10-Stamp Mill that is fully functional. There is also a fully operational Tramway not shown in the picture.

 

In contrast, the picture below shows a senior millman in his 80’s receiving his certification from the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association leader, at the Flywheel Café at Goffs, CA. They have a 2-stamp mill, 10-Stamp Mill and Gibson Gyratory Crusher that are all operational.

 

 

THE END