In1890MinnesotaChristinePowellistheschemingheadofthePowelldynasty,therichestminingempireoftheera.ButthePowellminedepositsarediminishing.TheMesabirangerepresentsawholenewproductiveareabuttherightstominethereareheldbyayounggeologicalengineer,KyleRamlo.Thelatterreachesanimpassewhenheneed*oneytocontinuehi*perimentationwithopen-pitminingandgoestoMissPowellforfinancing.ShedisplaysgreatinterestinbothhisinventiveminingmethodandinhimpersonallybutsecretlyplotstodestroyhimandtakeoverhisMasabirights.ThegullibleRamlofallsintoclutcheswhilethegirlhereallyloves,CathyNorlund,triesdesperatelytoopenhiseyestoChristine'sscheme.