Rich Dirt

Butte has been known as the “richest hill on earth” for as long as I can remember. Not only is it renowned for copper, but many other minerals are mined here as well. This is a painting done from the west side of the Lexington. Our uptown hill is dotted with the remnants of the past (gallows or headframes) but underground mining is now a thing of the past. It is done 24/7 in an open pit, the Berkeley Pit, or as some lovingly or scathingly referring to it as Lake Berkeley.