A Mine With A View—Highest U.S. Mines

Top Highest U.S. Mines

Written By: BOSS Editorial Team

Published: January 27, 2016 | Updated: January 31, 2019

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Are you familiar with the U.S. Mines at the Highest Altitudes?

U.S. mines with soaring elevations are spread throughout four western U.S. states: Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. Number three on the list is just a stone’s throw from the highest incorporated city in the U.S., Leadville, Colorado.

Take a glance at North America’s peak pits, keeping in mind how trying transporting workers and heavy machinery must be at such heights:

1. Henderson, Colorado

Elevation: 10,715 feet
Owned by Climax Molybdenum
Underground molybdenum mine

2. Cripple Creek, Colorado
Elevation: 10,492 feet
Owned by Newmont USA
Open-pit gold and silver mine

3. Climax, Colorado
Elevation: 10,089 feet
Owned by Climax Molybdenum
Open-pit molybdenum mine

4. Skyline No. 3, Utah
Elevation: 8,835 feet
Owned by Bowie Resources
Underground coal mine

5. War Eagle Mountain, Idaho
Elevation: 8,022 feet
Owned by Silver Falcon
Underground gold and silver mine

6. Thompson Creek, Idaho
Elevation: 7,884 feet
Owned by Blue Pearl Mining
Open-pit molybdenum mine


7. Bowie No. 2, Colorado
Has been recognized with reclamation awards for their efforts in minimizing disturbance to the hydrologic balance & impacts on fish and wildlife in Colorado.
Elevation: 7,864 feet
Owned by Bowie Resources
Underground coal mine

8. Sufco, or Southern Utah Fuel Co.
Utah’s oldest coal mine
Elevation: 7,546 feet
Owned by Bowie Resources
Underground coal mine

9. Smoky Canyon, Wyoming
Elevation: 7493 feet
Owned by Simplot
Open-pit phosphate rock mine


10. King II, Colorado

Elevation: 7471 feet
Owned by GCC Energy
Underground coal mine

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