St. Louis Mine - Mohave County
Where: Cerbat Mountains Near Historic Ghost Town of Cerbat Outside Kingman Arizona.
Travel Conditions: Travel to this location requires a high clearance 4WD vehicle
Operation Dates: Discovered in 1865 and worked from 1901 to 1948.
Description: The St. Louis mine was discovered in 1865 in the Cerbat Mountains between Chloride and Kingman. The mine is located at about 4400 feet in elevation and overlooks a canyon toward the old town of Cerbat.
The primary production at the St. Louis mine was between 1901 and 1948 and consisted of three tunnels and one shaft. In total there are about 2000 feet of workings in the mine. Before this the mine was worked intermittently with small shipments of ore being sent out. The tunnels are located at three different elevations on the hillside. A road ascends the hillside from the canyon and connects the old mining camp to the mine.
The mine was purchased by the North Dakota Silver Co. in 1922. Some time later, Mr. Lietzow acquired the property from the North Dakota Silver Co. for debts owed him by the company. Smelter certificates show that 211.5 tons of ore were shipped from August 1935 to September 1940 that averaged 46.17% lead, 3% zinc, 0.2% copper, 8.54 ounces silver per ton, and a trace of gold. The main production of the mine was lead during it's time of operation.
What you will see today: This mine is showing its age and the road to get to the mine is slowly being eroded by water from the seasonal rain storms. The lower tunnel is large and can be entered for a short distance before it becomes filled with water. This is an incline shaft and an old yellow fresh air hose hangs from the ceiling traveling down into the water.
Further up the hill to an upper level there are more tailings on the side of the hill. At this point there is an old ore shoot coming down the side of the mountain leading to the remains of what looks like an old ore chute. Off to the side of the old timbers from the ore shoot is a partially blocked tunnel with an old sign that is no longer visible from age. The sign post stands with a past message to passersby but only remembered by the ghost of the past. One can only guess that it read keep out or no trespassing due to the string of barbed wire on the ground.
This mine has been vacant and unmaintained for quite some time and it is better to keep to the main trail and foot paths. A covered tunnel is visible just below the second level but the barbed wire here is old and the wood planks across the shaft look as if they could be swallowed at any moment.
Comment: Keep to the main trail and solid ground paths. Dangers lurk here as at any old mine along with desert creatures that are better left alone. This is just a reminder as there are several bushes around the area and old tin building materials that critters like for shelter.
Minerals Mined: Lead (Primary), Silver, Gold, Zinc, Copper
People: A. T. Lietzov, Elsie L. Lietzov,
Acknowledgement: USGS records, Examination of Zinc-Lead Mines in the Wallapai Mining District by P. S. Haury (1947)