There is no question the economy will not always be as good as it is now. There is also no doubt that someday the lack of exploration and the ore in existing mines running out will come home to roost.

Just recently, the miners hit another big pocket, this time with nearly 1,000 ounces of gold. Some of the rich specimens were as big as a fist and others were in the form of smaller pieces.

“We feel that we can clean up an area that has been abandoned after 100 years of mining,” Lyon said.