This article was originally published by The-Vug.com in January, 2016.

The-Vug.com brings you this article about Radioactive Boltwoodite in the New method Mine in Amboy CA by Justin Zzyzx.

 Classic Radioactive Mineral Localities;
Boltwoodite from the New Method Mine, Amboy, California

By Justin Zzyzx

Boltwoodite is a Uranium mineral that is only found in a handful of locations worldwide. The only known location for this mineral in California is in the lonely town of Amboy.

Now nothing more than a spot on old route 66, 20 miles south of the busy I-40, where one can stop and check out the forgotten town. The promise of prosperity swept through in the 60’s but rolled out with the blowing sands leaving nothing more than few buildings, a classic route 66 landmark sign for Roy’s Café and a post office that I’ve never seen open.

During the 1950’s the desert regions of Califorina were being searched with renewed vigor for deposits of Uranium. The nuclear days were upon us and guide books dedicated to finding and claiming Uranium, Thorium and Beryllium deposits were some of the hottest sellers. As activity in these areas had always sparked interest, with nearby deposits of Iron and Gold fueling the search, the deposit of bright yellow Boltwoodite was located. The area around Amboy is rich in Volcanic deposits and features a very fresh lava tube to tour out just south of the town.

The mine is actually over 6 miles away from Amboy, along the side of the mountain range that lies north of town and seen from the side of Kel-Baker Road, which connects old route 66 with I-40 to the north. The head frame is still standing strong and the workings, being relatively much newer than most mines, are still in great shape.

The mine consisted of two levels accessible by a 180 degree shaft down along with a stope leading down to the first level that is now backfilled so that access into the inner workings is not possible from that point. This location is has had many variations on it’s name, including but not stricktly limited to, New Method, New Hope, Hope Mine, Uranium Hope Mine, New Hope Uranium Mine, and the Hope Uranium Prospect.

The dump is quite sizeable and boulders broken down often reveal vugs 1-2 cm in size lined with Quartz, Calcite, Gypsum, Fluorite and Boltwoodite.

The surrounding matrix usually consists of a massive form of Boltwoodite with massive Fluorite and a powdery white decomposed Gypsum. As you can imagine, the surrounding matrix is fairly soft and the vugs can be collected intact in matrix.

In addition, Uranophane has been found at this location, however, it is not found in conjunction with the Boltwoodite.

The Fluorite is deep purple, almost black in color, typical of most Fluorite found in association with Uranium. The Boltwoodite can be included in the Quartz and most frequently, Calcite. The associations of the Boltwoodite with the Fluorite cubes can create some interesting effects, such as cubes perched on top of Boltwoodite needles, or Boltwoodite crystals penetrating cubes of Fluorite.

Regardless, all of these scenes are only to be appreciated by those with supurb eyesight or under a microscope. The largest crystals are no more than 4mm, but the author witnessed the late J.P. Cand find a single cluster that stood completely off matrix and measured in at just a hair under 10mm! The average size can be imagined as the pockets containing the crystals are usually no larger than 1cm on average.

As the mine has sat undisturbed for over 30 years now, hopefully it will continue to lie undisturbed for another 30, lying in wait for the infrequent visitor.

Copyright 2007 Jusitn Zzyzx