We drove through the Virgin Valley section of the refuge that is still an active mining district.  It seems to be mostly small, low budget claims worked by individuals or co-ops.  The Peacock Mine still operates and I suppose is profitable but they have added Mining the Miner to their income stream.  They have a rock shop and full service campground to support “pay to dig” miners.  We checked it out but declined to put shovel to dirt.  That just doesn’t sound like fun to me.