Lost tractor of Owyhee County

This picture was taken on May 8th, 2010 near Poison Gulch in the Owyhee Mountain. This area is sort of close (but definitely way off road) to the intersection of Mud Flat Road and the Poison Creek Cutoff Road that is south of Grand View Idaho.

Finding this tractor way out in the middle of nowhere was rather unusual. I've never seen a tractor configured like this one but then again, I'm not a heavy equipment operator, miner, or rancher that has a need for this type of thing. I suspect the tractor has something to do with mining as public records show there have been mining claims submitted off and on in this area since the late 1970's.

A corporation called “NEVADA MINE PROPERTIES II INC” currently owns most of the claims in this area. George Eliopulos and Herb Duerr are geologists and sole owners of this company and they are into gold mining in Nevada and this small area of southern Idaho. Looks like these guys think “there is gold and silver in them thar hills”.

So what are your thoughts? Is this tractor used for mining or something else? Let me know by Clicking Here or leave a comment by Clicking Here and scrolling down to the botton of the post.