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100,000 abandoned mines in Arizona, 2 inspectors

Arizona has thousands of abandoned mines, and with staffing in short supply, thousands go uninspected.

PHOENIX — Last year, John Wadell fell into a mine shaft, stuck for three days at the bottom. During the time, he fended off rattlesnakes and popped his own blisters for nourishment, hoping help would arrive.

Wadell's friend eventually found him and John survived, his story gathering attention nationwide. 

RELATED: Man trapped days in mine says he used a stick to kill snakes, keep broken leg in place

On Sunday, sheriff's deputies and firefighters rescued Alicia Judy from a 20-foot fall, which deputies said might be a mine shaft. 

RELATED: Runner rescued after falling into Cave Creek mine shaft

Throughout Arizona, there are an estimated 100,000 abandoned mines, according to the State Mine Inspector's Office. However, the state only has two inspectors looking at the abandoned mines.

According to the State Mine Inspector's office, around 18,000 of the 100,000 abandoned mines have been inspected. The available resources of the office restricts some of the ability to look at the mines. 

However, injuries in the abandoned mines are relatively rare. 

Since 2007, two people have died while six have been injured in abandoned mines.

From 1969 through 2002, the state averaged more than a death a year in the state's abandoned mines, according to the State Mine Inspector's Office. 

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