As Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine shifts its operation from Park County into Lake County, the hits keep coming—both on and off camera. After conflict and even gunfire in Fairplay drove production out of Park County, Team Turin secured the necessary county and state mining permits here, setting up heavy equipment on Box Creek lands outside Twin Lakes this summer.
Tragedy on the Claim
Just weeks into the new season, veteran gold-room operator Jesse Goins suffered a fatal heart attack on-site. Despite rapid response, Lake County dispatch struggled to pinpoint the remote Box Creek location, delaying medical aid. Goins’s unexpected passing cast a pall over the crew—and, by the producers’ own account, the remainder of the season is now dedicated to his memory.
Permits and Oversight
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Lake County Permit (2019): Allows large-scale mining activity with concurrent reclamation plan, enforced by the county’s Building & Land Use office.
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State Oversight: The Colorado Department of Reclamation, Mining & Safety (DRMS) and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) regulate permitting, environmental safeguards, and post-mining reclamation.
Despite these layers, neighbors worry that legacy dredge chemicals and massive earthmoving could harm Box Creek’s water quality and scenic value.
Community Concerns
Local groups like Save South Park successfully pushed for tighter controls in Park County; Twin Lakes residents now wonder where their own conservation advocates are in countering potential impacts here. Questions include:
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Are sediment and pesticide runoff being monitored?
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Will logging roads and mine roads be reclaimed properly?
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How will increased film traffic affect resident safety and tranquility?
Lack of Local Communication
Critics note that neither the Leadville Film Commission nor county leaders issued statements on Goins’s death or the emergency response mishaps—news that made headlines on the West Coast. Community members say a simple press release or public forum would have honored Goins’s life and reassured the public.
What’s Next for Box Creek?
As Team Turin pushes toward record-breaking gold yields, Twin Lakes residents brace for continued disruption—and hope that environmental and safety lessons from Park County will guide more transparent, responsible mining here. For viewers curious about the season’s twists and the full story behind Jesse Goins’s legacy, tune in to Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery and stream past episodes on discovery+.
In the meantime, Lake County awaits clearer communication, stronger community engagement, and proof that this “lost mine” won’t leave lasting scars on our beloved Box Creek watershed.
