Ghost towns
The mining industry significantly contributed to the boom-bust cycle of Western towns by attracting large populations during mineral discoveries, leading to rapid economic growth and infrastructure development. However, once resources were depleted or mining operations became unprofitable, these towns often experienced dramatic declines, resulting in abandoned buildings and economic downturns. The volatility of mineral prices and the finite nature of mining resources exacerbated this cycle, leaving many communities reliant on a single industry vulnerable to collapse. Consequently, the mining boom fueled both prosperity and hardship in the West.
The mining industry is typically very "boom or bust". Bust would either mean that the mine has closed due to the ore being completely mined or metal prices have fallen to the point its no longer cost-effective to continue. Many mining communities are remote, 1 industry towns. When the mining ceases, most people leave the community for new jobs elsewhere, hence the "bust"
Most Boom Towns went bust after the mineral that was being mined became depleted, or the ore became unprofitable. In fact, early Boom Towns in the 1880's through the 1900's were lawless places which were run by company gangs or union gangs! Updated By: Levi M Levitt
Only workers live around the place because of their work. Not many workers are needed to log trees or dig out minerals, so the population in the town won't be as high. Also, the area is probably missing schools, hospitals and shopping centers due to its resource based community.
Pursued other opportunities
It is true that when mining was no longer profitable, and mines stopped producing, the mining towns became ghost towns. The reason was because the people that lived in the town had to leave the area looking for work.
Mining towns would spring up, almost overnight, whenever prospectors discovered ore in sufficient quantity to make mining profitable. Whenever the ore was exhausted, or whenever it was no longer profitable to mine it, the mines would close, miners would be thrown out of work, and people would move elsewhere in search of other jobs.
miners buit pleasant, charming towns near the mines
Most of the old mining towns are considered to be ghost towns now. Many of the mines went out of business and without the work, people had to move away and leave the town empty.
Towns developed near mines to provide housing, services, and goods to miners and their families. The proximity to the mines allowed for easier transportation of resources and materials needed for mining operations. Additionally, towns provided a sense of community and social support for miners working in often isolated and challenging conditions.
Towns start to grow where mines are because the miners need a close place to live.
Gary Caldwell has written: 'Mammoth gold' -- subject(s): Ghost towns, Gold mines and mining, History
Mining towns were different than Mormon towns mostly because mining towns were focused on getting rich and mining, and Mormon towns were focused on religion rather than money. Mining towns were more 'rough and tumble' or 'wild west' than Mormon towns, which were more peaceful and civilized and had a lot more women and children. However, in the west, some Mormon towns were also mining towns. Nevertheless, most Mormon towns were farming, ranching, or industrial communities.
John Darbyshire has written: 'Old gold towns of Queensland' -- subject(s): Gold mines and mining, Queensland in art
they were called boom towns because they sprung up quickly
There are many Opal mining towns in Australia. Well known towns include Coober Pedy, White Clifs and Lightning Ridge. They are all roughly in the south eastern part of Australia.