(Mineral shown: Rhodochrosite, Fluorite, 22-02 Pocket, Detroit City Portal, Sweet Home Mine, Alma, Park Co., Colorado, USA)
September 3, 2024
After 7 years of mining operations, the Detroit City Portal of the Sweet Home Mine has been permanently closed.
It has been a long journey for us on Mount Bross.
In 1991, Bryan and Kathryn Lees and several key investors entered into a leasing agreement with the Sweet Home Mine owner, Leonard Beach, to operate and mine the Sweet Home over the next several years. This enterprise would lead to the unprecedented discovery of the world’s finest rhodochrosite specimen, the “Alma King”, and many other world-class specimens. After 13 years of operation by Collector’s Edge and Sweet Home Rhodo, Inc., the mine was permanently closed and sealed shut in 2004.
While the Sweet Home was no more, Collector’s Edge continued prospecting and planning – leading to the opening of a new mine, the Detroit City Portal, approximately 200 feet above the original portal on Mt. Bross, in 2016. After two years of prep work, specimens started to be recovered in the 2018 season. Since then, the Detroit City Portal has yielded quality rhodochrosite specimens through the 2024 season.
Today, we announce the permanent closure of the Detroit City Portal. We thank you for nearly 10 years of support in this dream mining venture.
The remaining specimens from the Detroit City Portal, including specimens from the last pocket at the mine – Baker’s Pocket – will be available this year at the Hard Rock Summit, at our fall open house, and on the website.