Henderson school gives peek into mines

You don't have to drive to Elko to check out a gold mine.  

Just head down to Henderson, to Gordon McCaw Elementary School's McCaw School of Mines.

There, you can see a replica of a frontier town, an underground mine and themed meeting rooms that tell you about Nevada's minerals, mining safety and equipment, and how what is mined ends up in everyday products. The idea is to enlighten locals about mining's effect on Nevada.

"Mining is the second-largest industry in the state," says Clyde Caldwell, executive director of the McCaw School of Mines. "A lot of people down south have no clue about mining and what goes on in the middle of the state and in Northern Nevada. We're trying to show them how important mining is in the state and what we get out of it."

Each year, the Clark County School District sends 6,000 fourth graders from 50 schools through the 4,000-square-foot exhibit, where they study the history of mining in Nevada going back to the Comstock Lode, the famous silver vein discovered near Virginia City in 1859.

Students get to see and feel a 15,000-pound, 12-foot tire from a mining haul truck, pan for precious metals and take home a vial of gold. On top of the educational factor, the school hopes it can convince kids to consider a career in mining, perhaps as a geologist or heavy-equipment operator, Caldwell says.

There is no charge to the school district for the exhibit tours. McCaw's $100,000 annual budget is covered by key industry players such as Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining, Kinross Gold and Cashman Equipment. It also holds an auction in April to raise funds.

The exhibit isn't just for fourth-graders. McCaw holds open houses a few times a year, the next one a Halloween-themed event planned for Oct. 20-21. The school is also open by appointment during the summer for tours from churches, scouting groups and nonprofits.

The McCaw School of Mines is at 57 Lynn Lane and can be contacted at 799-3546.