Does it have any markings on it? Do you have a photo of the opposite side?

Is that a crankshaft on the inside? Looks like a 3 cylinder power unit probably used to power a separate rock crusher, or possible water pump, via some kind of chain drive.

Looks like a smaller version of this type of engine manufactured in 1904, probably by another manufacturer. http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d602b3127ccef0...

This is the only picture I have. A colleague passed it on to me.

Looks like a steam engine.

A first glance I would have said, petrol / oil fired engine but couldn't understand the single valve arrangement for each cylinder, Compositepro got me thinking. It is a steam engine. What looks like a single valve arrangement is actually a sliding valve timed to open and close an inlet and exhaust port to direct the steam into the cyliders and for the exhaust cycle.

Manufacturer ??
built when ???
use - to drive a flat belt to power something ???? crusher / pump / winding drum.

A bit of mining history.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

One person I showed the picture to thought it could be a stamp mill designed for crushing rock. However, I was skeptical. The steam engine idea makes more sense considering the size, the belt drives, and the ports.

I love the old mining history. It's very interesting. The folks that live near the old mine, near Colima, Mexico I believe, want to know more about the history. Any other comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

I initial thought stamp mill also, though I am not convinced.

Maybe a compressor?

Regards,
Lyle

The picture shown is not a stamping mill, or compressor, or pump - it is an engine which I believe, without any further pictures or information is / was steam powered. However, it might well have driven a stamper or a pump or a compressor or some other piece of mining equipment.

A stamping mill is a stand alone piece of equipment that can be engine driven or water wheel - or electric motor driven (but not in the early days of mining.)
link to stamping mill / crusher http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_mill

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)