Mother Nature can be mean for sure. I knew an accountant who inherited a lovely riverfront home, in the neighborhood of an old lead mine. Historic home, known locally for its long history of very eccentric occupants. He went so hare-brained crazy they had to put him in an asylum. The relatives took over the place, tried to sell it and found out the well water was so contaminated by lead, they couldn’t give the house away. Net losses of about five million dollars and one man’s freedom and sanity.
This sounds dumb I have never heard of mining for lead..but then there are millions of things I haven't heard of...:O)
Now mining/panning for gold is something I would like to do..on my bucket list but am too old to do it now...Always wanted to hire some old prospector and a mule in Alaska, grub stake him for the summer and have him take me out panning for gold.. Have gone diamond mining in Arkansas, but didn't find any diamonds...Arkansas has the only diamond area, state park that you can go and dig for diamonds...over the years some big one's have been found. The big canary diamond Hilliary Clinton wore to the inaugural ball is a diamond found at the diamond mine state park...If you find one, they will buy it off you on the spot. You take all the minerals/stones you find to their expert and they will tell you what you have.