Teams search for ghostly activity at Phoenix Mine

By Ashley Gann
For the Courant
Paranormal researchers looked for evidence of ghostly activity at the Phoenix Gold Mine in Idaho Springs the evening of April 7, hoping to contact the spirits of miners who worked there in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The teams spent several hours in the mine, collecting data they hope will provide clues to determine whether the mine is haunted. Twelve investigators working in three teams used technology such as electromagnetic field readers, full-spectrum cameras and thermal-imaging cameras to try to capture proof that ghosts of miners who died underground are still present.
“Some of the signs that something’s coming close to us are fluctuations in our EMF equipment,” said Luana Kurz, founder of Colorado Shadow Investigations. “We also have the ability to listen in real time to our recorders and hear a voice.”
Mine owner Al Mosch said he believes there’s a strong possibility the mine is haunted.
“The mine has had a lot of fatalities in it from when it was in operation many years ago,” Mosch said. “These guys have been here before and had some evidence before, and were really fascinated by it.”
The ghost hunters also had mediums in their arsenal, people claiming they can sense things that can’t be seen by others. Mediums Kathy Delano of Colorado Shadow Investigations and Philip Geneman of Rocky Mountain Research Investigation of the Paranormal and Photography said they use their skills to feel or hear spirits when they are close by.
“We’re hoping to connect with miners, obviously,” Kurz said. “And a lot of the time, they choose to stay or want to stay. There’s reasons why the energy is here, and sometimes it’s intelligent and sometimes it’s just residual, and the mediums help.”
The teams collected photos of orbs and mists, as well as potential voice responses captured on the recorders. They hope to validate various claims of sightings and experiences in the mine with the information they collect.
“We’re just looking for answers,” said Sean Wallace, founder of Rocky Mountain Research.
The researchers said they looked forward to investigating the mine further based on their own experiences during the expedition.
“This has definitely been a unique opportunity,” Kurz said.  “I hope we can do this again in the future.”