100 North Iron Avenue
Grants, NM , 87020-3657

Phone: (505) 287-4802

Website

The New Mexico Mining Museum is all about uranium mining in this area of New Mexico and doubles as the local visitor center. It has a mock up of an underground mine that is an example of what the work conditions would have been like for the miners. Hands-on exhibits are made for kids, who will 'dig' descending the mine shaft into the underground mine. The initial boom in the Grants area started soon after Paddy Martinez, a Navajo sheepherder, found uranium-bearing outcrops in the Todilto Limestone Member of the Wanakah Formation at the foot of Haystack Butte in the spring of 1950.

Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed Sunday.
Plenty of free parking.

The penny machine is inside to the left of the front entrance. You must line up the red dot on the wheel with the green taped on sticker for the penny to press correctly. The staff will help you with this, as the correct setting does vary with time.

Designs are:
1. (V) Miner holding a jackhammer to the ceiling with 'New Mexico Mining Museum Grants NM',
2. (V) Child entering the simulated mine with 'Go Underground! Grants NM',
3. (V) Drilling derrick with 'New Mexico Mining Museum Grants NM',
4. (V) US highway shield with 'Grants NM Route 66'.

G.P.S. coordinates: Latitude: N35° 9' 12.1752" Longitude: W107° 51' 17.139"

1/17: Penny machine installed here

3/2/24: Machine is in the back of the gift shop. No green take, just line up the red dots. Rolled copper cents exactly like images pictured. No cost to access the machine.
Was given a Grants Centennial 1882 - 1982 commemorative coin in a plastic holder for free. They must have had a bunch leftover. Don't know if they have any left.