Bureau of Mines Report On Inyo Mountains Wilderness Area

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Bureau of Mines Open File Reportl1985
Mineral Resources of the Inyo Mountains

Wilderness Study Area, Inyo County, California
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- INYO
- MOUNTAINS
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BUREAU OF MINES
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
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PREFACE
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (Public Law 94-579, October
21,1976) requires the U. S. Geological Survey and U. S. Bureau of Mines
to conduct mineral surveys on U. S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
administered lands designated as Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) to
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determine the mineral values, if any, that may be present •.• 11 Results of
those surveys must be made available to the public and be submitted to
the President and the Congress. This report summarizes the results of a
Bureau of Mines mineral survey of the Inyo Mountains Wilderness Study
Area (BLM No. CDCA-122) , Inyo County, California .
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This open-file report presents the results of a Bureau of Mines
wilderness study which will be summarized in a joint report published
by the U.S. Geological Survey. The data were gathered and interpreted
by Bureau of Mines personnel from Western Field Operations Center,
East 360 Third Avenue, Spokane, Washington, 99202. The report has
been edited by members of the Branch of Mineral Land Assessment at the
field center and reviewed at the Division of Mineral Land Assessment,
Washington, D. C.
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CONTENTS
Abs trac t .................................................. . 6

Introducti on ............................ . 7
Geographic Setting ••••••.••••••••••••••• ........................... 7
Previous studies •••..••.•••••••.•••••••• 14
Present study ............................................... . 15
Acknowl edgements •.....••.••.•••••.••.•••..•••.••..••••.••.......•. 16
Geologic setting .................................................... . 17
Mines, mills, and prospects •••••••••••••••••••••••.•.••••••.•.••••.•• 18
History and production •• .................................. . 18
Mining claims ..................................................... . 20
Gold in veins ................................... . 20
Keynote (Keynot) Mi ne. . • . . . • • . . . • . • . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . ...... . 26
Bighorn Mine area •.•••.•••••.••••.•..•..•••••.•••..•••••.•.•.•.
Taylor-McElvoy Mine area ............................... .
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Beveridge Mine •••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•• 34
Gava1an Mine area ••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••••••.
Gol d occurrences ................................................ .
Silver in veins ................................................... . 38
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Silver Harvest Prospect ••••.•••••.•.••••••••••••••••.•...•.••••.• 41
Big Silver Mine ••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••.•••.••.
Morning Sun Prospect .............................. .
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Silver occurrences .••••••.••••••..••.••.•••••••••••
Tal c deposi ts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snowfl ak e Ta 1c Mi ne..•.••.•...•.•.........•.••...•.••••........•• 47
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Florence Talc Mi ne ..............•................................ 50
Bonham (White Mountain) Mine •••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••.•.•.•• 52
Doris Dee Tal c Mine .•.••.•.•.•.•••.....••••••.••..•....••••••••.. 55
Other mineral occurrences ••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••• 57
Economic appraisal ..................................... .
Gold in veins ........................................ .
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Silver in veins ............................................. . 63
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Talc deposits................................. . ........... . 65
Recommendations for further work •.•••••.••.... 67
References .••.....................•............................ 68
Appendix: Table A - Summary descriptions of mines, mills, and
prospects, in and adjacent to the I nyo Mountain
Wilderness Study Area ......•...••• 70 -
Fi gure 1.
I llUSTRATI ONS
location map, Inyo Mountains Wilderness Study Area
(BlM No. CDCA-122) .••••••••••.••••••••••••.•.••.••. 8
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Mines, mills, and prospects in and adjacent to the Inyo
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (BlM No. CDCA-122).
Keynote (Keynot) Mine •••..
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4. Bighorn Mine area ....•.•••. 30
5. Taylor-McElvoy Mine area .•..••.•.•.••••••.•.• 33
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CONTENTS--continued
Illustrations--continued
6. Beveridge Mine .••...•.•.•...••.•.•••••..•..•...••...•..... 35
7. Gavalan Mine area •..••....••..•.•••....•..••........••..•. 37
8. Silver Harvest Prospect ...••....•......•..••.....•...••••• 42
9. Big Silver Mine and Morning Sun Prospect •••••••••.•••••••. 44
10. Snowflake Talc Mine ...•...•............................... 48
11. Florence Tal c Mi ne .......•................................ 51
12. Bonham (White Mountain) Talc Mine •.••.......•............. 54
13. Doris Dee Talc Mine ....................................... 56
14. Locations of gold, silver, and talc deposits with
resources, and sites for mills and mine roads •.•.••.•...•. 59
TABLES
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3.
Significant gold mines and prospects •..•.•..•..•••.•..•.••. 22
Significant silver mines and prospects ••••.••.••••....•.•.. 39
Tal c m; nes . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . .. 46
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UNIT OF MEASURE ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT
ft 3 cubic foot
yd 3 cubic yard
o degree
$/yd 3 dollar per cubic yard
ft foot
in. inch
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mi nute of arc
% percent
lb pound
" second of arc
ft2 square foot
ton/d ton per day
oz troy ounce
oz/ton troy ounce per ton
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5
MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE INYO MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS
STUDY AREA (BLM NO. CDCA-122),
INYO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
By
Terry J. Close l/
ABSTRACT
From 1981-84, Bureau of Mines personnel examined and evaluated mines
and prospects in the highly mineralized 62,400 acre Inyo Mountains U. S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wilderness Study Area (WSA), located east
of Lone Pine, CA. The 62,400 acres studied is the part of the 87,145
acre WSA designated as suitable prior to February 28, 1983.
The WSA is underlain principally by Quartz monzonite and quartz diorite
tnat nave intruded sedimentary and volcanic rocKs. Three types of
mineral deposits are present: 1) gold in fissure veins, 2) silver in
fissure and replacement veins, and 3) talc in metasomatic lenses. Of the
84 mines, mills, and prospects examined, 54 are significant: 1) 5 in the
intrusive rocks total about 4.4 million tons of inferred marginal gold
- reserves averaging 0.24 oz gold and 0.74 oz silver/ton; 2) three

associated with intrusive-sedimentary rock contact zones total about
280,000 tons of inferred subeconomic silver resources averaging 7 oz
silver/ton; 3) 27 gold and silver occurrences in the intrusive and
- sedimentary rocks total abOut l.2 million tons of material in poorly
defined bodies too small or low grade to be resources; 4) 15 gold and
silver occurrences in the intrusive and sedimentary rocKs are too poorly
- exposed to estimate tonnage and grade; and 5) four talc deposits along
intrusive-sedimentary contact zones have inferred marginal reserves
totaling about 640,000 tons.
- The marginal gold reserves at $450/oz might De profitably mined

(reserve) at a gold price of about $600/oz and the subeconomic silver
resources at a silver price in excess of about $27/oz. The marginal talc
- reserves might become minable at prices of about $50/ton and $80/ton for
unprocessed and processed talc, respectively, after present supply
sources are depleted. At most of the 54 significant mines and prospects,
- additional reserves or resources would liKely be disclosed by trenching

or drilling.
Present in the WSA are 13 gold mills, numerous small pits and cuts, 270
underground worKings totaling about 36,000 ft, and 80 mining benches
totaling aDout 11,000 ft. Gold, silver, or talc were produced from most
of the worKings. A total of 1,561 lode and 18 placer samples were taken.
1/ Physical Scientist (Geologist), Western Field Operations Center,

Irureau of t~i nes, Spokane, WA.
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The WSA contains the Beveridge Mining District. At least 38,000 oz of
gold; 39,000 oz of silver; some copper, lead, and zinc; and about 50,000
tons of talc are estimated to have been produced from the district, all
from inside the WSA. In 1984, 41 individuals held 204 mining claims.
The majority were on gold-bearing veins; 45 were on silver-bearing veins
and talc deposits.
In addition, to gold, silver, and talc deposits, there are small
alluvium deposits along upper Beveridge Canyon that contain traces of
gold. Large occurrences of limestone, dolomite, and other stone are in
the WSA. The alluvium and stone occurrences are not resources because
similar material is closer to markets. Neither energy minerals nor
geothermal resources were identified in the study area.
INTRODUCTION
The U. S. Bureau of Mines (Bureau) and U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) ...
conducted a joint mineral investigation of the Inyo Mountains Wilderness
Study Area (WSA) to determine if mineral resources are present and to
assess the potential for undiscovered resources. Personnel from the USGS ...
mapped geology and completed magnetic and radiometric as well as a
geochemical stream sediment sampling program. Personnel from the Bureau
examined and appraised mines, mill sites, and prospects. This report
summarizes the Bureau's findings; the complete data are on file at the ...
Bureau of Mines Western Field Operations Center, Spokane, WA. Combined
results of the Bureau's and USGS's work will be summarized in-a joint
report and map which will be published by the USGS. ..
Of the 87,145 acre WSA, 62,400 acres were originally designated as
suitable. On February 28, 1983, the suitable portion was adjusted to
59,374 acres. However, throughout this report, the term WSA refers to
the original 62,400 suitable acres studied by the Bureau of Mines.
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Geographic Setting ..
The 62,400-acre Inyo Mountains WSA is on the northeast slope of the
southern Inyo Mountains, Inyo County, CA (figs. 1 and 2). The WSA is
bounded on the northeast by the Saline Valley road, on the northwest by
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Inyo National Forest, on the southwest by the crest of the mountain
range, and on the southeast by Bonham and San Lucas Canyons. It includes
the organized Beveridge Mining District (the most productive gold ..
district in Inyo County), and is adjoined on the west by the Lone Pine
(Russ) Mining District (a producer of silver, gold, talc, and stone) and
on the south by the Cerro Gordo Mining District (a producer of silver, ...
lead, zinc, talc, and stone).
The WSA is part of a horst (uplifted fault-bounded block) ;n the Bas;n
and Range physiographic province. It is very rugged, with elevations
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ranging from 1,091 ft near Salt Lake in Saline Valley to 11,101 ft at the
summit of Keynote Peak, 8 miles to the west. The WSA is transected by
northeast-trending canyons that plunge precipitously into Saline Valley. ...
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~l INYO
Big Pine,CA
40 mile$
NATIONAL
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lReno, NV
.260 mile$ FOREST
.J o, 5 MILES
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California Hwy 190
34 miles
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I'--"L.
- IN YO I
- NATIONAL
FOREST
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California Hwy 190
26 miles
Saline Valley Road

23 miles
Los Angeles, CA
145 miles
FIGURE 1. - Location map, lnyo Mountains Wilderness Study (BLM No. COCA-I 22)
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An unnumbered table to accompany figure 2. - A numerical index of tne
mines, mills and prospects in and adjacent to the Inyo MOuntains
Wilderness Study Area (BLM No. CDcA-122)
(Deposits underlined are significant; asterisK (*)
indicates outside the WSA; principal commodities
are shown in parentheses).
(Map
no. ) Name
1 ••..•••••• Doris Dee Talc Mine
2•.•••••. ~.Badwater Spineworks Millsite
3•••.••••.• New Argonaut Prospect (gold)
4.•.•.••... Prospect No.4 (gold)
5.•.•••••.. Prospect No.5 (gold)
6•.•.•••.•. Keys Mine (gold-silver)
7••.••••••• Cougar Mine (gold)
8...•..•..• Pat Keyes Arrastras (gold)
9.••.•••••. Hope Mine (gold-si1ver-1ead-zinc)
10 ••••.•••• Prospect No. 10 (gold)
l1. ••.•..•• Johny Mine (gold)
l2 ••.•.•••• Prospect No. 12 (gold)
l3 .••••••.• Tay1or-McE1voy Mine area (gold-silver)
l4 •.•.••.•• Go1d Bug Mlne (gold)
l5 .•••••••• Hacked pinyon Prospect (gold)
- l6 •....•... Rock Roof Mine (gold-si1ver-copper-lead)
17 ••...•••• Blueledge Mine (gold-silver)
18 ...•••.•. No. 18 Mine (gold)
- 19 •••.••••. Crysta1 Mine (gold)

20 .•..••••. Prospect No. 20 (gold)
21 ••••••••• Laura Mine (gold-silver)
- 22 •.•....•. Red Dog Mine (gold)

23 ..•..••.. Sweitzer Mine (silver)
24 ....•.... cinnamon Mine (gold-silver)
25 •••••...• Keynote (Keynot) Mine (gold)
- 26 ...•..•.• Keynot No. 30 Mine (gold)

27 ......... Panament View Mine (gold-si1ver-1ead)
28 •.......• B1ueDird Prospect (gold)
29 ....••... Prospect No. 29 (gold)
- 30 ......... Keystone Mil1site
31 .•..•.•.• Hignland Chief Mine (gold)
32 .•...•... No. 32 Mine (gold)
- 33 .•...••.• CnamDers Mine (gold-silver)
34 ....••... Prospect No. 34 (gold)
35 ..•....•. No. 35 Mine (gold-silver-copper)
36 ......... silver Ridge No.1 Prospect (silver-copper-1ead)
37 .•••..... Sal Prospect (gold-sllver)
38 .....•... Silver Ridge No.2 Mine (si1ver-gold-lead-zinc)
39 .•....... Silver Ridge No.3 Prospect
40 ......•.• Prospect No. 40 (silver-gold)
41 ....•.... Sn owf I aKe I a I c Ml ne
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An unnumbered table to accompany figure 2. - A.numerical index of the
mines, mills, and prospects in and adjacent to the Inyo Mountains
Wilderness Study Area (SlM No. CDCA-l22) - continued
(Map
no. ) Name
42 •••••.••. Trio Millsite
43 •••••.••• Prospect No. 43 (gold-copper)
44 .••••••.• Prospect No. 44 (gold-silver)
45 •••..•••• Prospect No. 45 (gold)
46 •••••.••• Mano Del Hombre Segundo Mine (gold-silver)
47 ••••••••. Mano gel Ho~bre Mine (~old)
48 ••••••••. Sever1dge M1ne (gold-s1lver)
49 •.•••.••• pros~ect No. 49 (gold)
50 ••••••••• No. a Mine (gold)
51 ••••••••• Beveridge Canyon MN No. 12 Mine (gold)
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52 ••••••••• Cove Spring Arrastre
53 ••.•••..• Laskey·s Mill
54 •••••.••. Horseshoe Mine (gold) -
55 ••...••.. Beveridge Canyon MN Prospect (gold)
56 •.••••..• Beveridge Canyon MN No. 28 Prospect (gold)
57 ••..••... Valley View Prospect (silver-gold)
58 ••.••••.• Beveridge Canyon MN No. 26 Prospect (gold)
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59 •••.•••.• Gavalan Mine area (gold)
60 .•••.••.. llano Del Oro Claim (copper)
61 •..••.••. Bighorn Mine area (gold-silver-copper)
62 •.••••••• Prospect No. 62 (gold)
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63 ...•..•.. Loadstar Prospect
64 •..••.••• Hunter Arrastres (gold-silver-copper-lead)
65 .......•• Spring Mine (gold)
66 .•.....•• Gold Standard Mine (silver-gold-copper)
67 ....••... Joy and Vega Prospect (gold)
68 .•..•.•.• Silver Harvest Prospect (silver)
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69 .•....... Big Silver Mine (silver)
70 ••..•.••• Morning Sun Prospect (silver)
71 •......•. Craig Canyon Mill (gold-s1lver-copper) -
72 ....•••.• Prospect No. 72 (silver-gold-copper)
73 •....... *McFuenter Prospect (gold)
74 ......... Burgess Mine area (silver-lead-zinc-gold)
75 ..•...... Trapier Mine (gold-silver-lead)
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76 •.....••. American Fla Mine (gold-silver-copper)
77 .......•• rospect o. Sl ver-go
78 .•..•.... Prospect No. 78 (gold)
79 .......•. Saline Valley Salt Tram
-copper- ead) -
80 .•••...• *Cerro Gordo Spring Millsite and FW Prospect
81 ..•...... Auguste Mine (silver-lead-z;nc-gold)
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B2 •.••.•••• Bonham (White Mountain) Talc Mine
83 ......... Florence Talc Mine
84 ••....•.. American Prospect (silver-copper-1ead-zinc) -
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An unnumbered table to accompany figure 2. - An alphabetical index of tne
mines, mills and prospects in and adjacent to tne lnyo Mountains
Wilderness Study Area (SLM No. CDCA-122)
(Deposits underlined are significant; asterisk (*)
indicates outside the WSA; principal commodities
are shown in parentheses).
(Map
Name no.)
American Prospect (silver-copper-1ead-zinc) .• 84
American Flag Mine {gold-silver-copper} •••••• 76
Auguste Mine (silver-lead-zinc-gold) •••..••.• 81
Badwater spineworks Mi"site •.•••••.•...••..•• 2
Beveridge Canyon MN Prospect (gold) •••••.••.• 55
Beverldge Canyon MN No. 12 Mine (gold) •.••••. 51
Beveridge Canyon MN No. 26 Prospect (gold).~.58
Beveridge Canyon MN No. 28 Prospect (gold} •.• 56
Beveridge Mine {gold-silver} •••••••••••••..•• 48
Bignorn Mine area {gold-silver-copper) •..••.• 61
Big Silver Mine {silver) ••••••••••••••...•... 69
Bluebird Prospect (gold) •.•.••••••••.••.••... 28
- Blueledge Mine (gold-silver) •••••.•••••..•••• 17
Bonnam (White Mountain) Talc Mine •••.••..••.• 02
Burgess Mine area (silver-lead-zinc-gold} •.•• 74
- *Cerro Gordo Spring Mi1lsite and
FW Prospect ••••••••.•..••.••••.••..•.••••.•. 80
Chambers Mine (gold-si1ver) ..••• ~ •.••••.•.•.. 33
Cinnamon Mine (gold-silver) .•••••.•.••...••.• 24
- Cougar Mine (gold) ••••..•.•••.••••...•••..•••. 7
Cove Spring Arrastre •••••••.••.•••••.•••.•... 52
Craig Canyon Mill (gold-silver-copper). •.•••. 71
- Crystal Mine (gold} •••.•••••.•••.......••.... 19
Doris Dee Talc Mine •••••••..••..•.•••..••••••• l
Florence Talc Mine ••••••••••••...•.•.••...••• 03
- Gavalan Mine area (gold) •••.•••....•......... 59

Gold Bug Mine (gold) •••..•....•...........•.. 14
Gold Standard Mine (si1ver-go1d-copper) ...•.. 66
Hacked Pinyon Prospect (gold) ..••...•..•••••. 15
Hi gn 1and Chi ef Mi ne (gold) ..••............•.. 31
Hope Mine (gold-silver-lead-zinc) .......•••..• 9
Horseshoe Mine (gold) ••••••••.•...•......... 54
- Hunter Arrastres (gold-si1ver-copper-1ead) •.. 64
Jonny Mine (gold) .•...••••••.•.•.•........••. 11
Joy and Vega Prospect (gold) .•....•.......... 67
Keynote (Keynot) Mine (gold) ................• 25
Keynot No. 30 ~1ine (g01 d) .................... 26
Keys Mine (gold-silver) •...................... 6
Keystone Mill s; te ........................... 30
Laskey s Mill ..............•................. 53
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Laura Mi ne (go 1d-s i 1 ver). .........•.......... 21
12
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An unnumbered table to accompany figure 2. - An alphabetical index of the
mines, mills, and prospects in and adjacent to the 1nyo Mountains
Wilderness Study Area (SLM No. CDCA-122) - continued
(Map
Name no. )
laura Mine (gold-silver) •..•..••••.••••••.•. ~
llano Del Oro Prospect (copper) ••.••••••••••• 60
Loadstar Prospect ••.•••...•••.••••••••••••••• 63
*McFuenter Prospect (gold) •••••••••••••••••••. 73
Mano Del Hombre Mine (gold) •••••••••••••••••• 47
Mano Del Hombre Segundo Mine { old-silver) ••• 46
orn1ng un rospect S1 ver ••.••••••••.•••• 70
New Argonaut Prospect (gold) .••..•••.•••••.••• 3
No. 18 Mine (gold) ••••.••••.••••••..••••••••• 18
No. 32 Mine (gold) •••••••••••••••••••••••••.• 32 - I
No. 35 Mine (gold-silver-copper) ••••.•••••.•• 35
No. 50 Mine (gold} ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 50
Panament View Mine ( 01d-silver-lead) •••••••. 27
a eyes rras ras go •••••••••••••.•••••• 8
Prospect No.4 (gold) •••••••..•••••••••••••••• 4
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Prospect No.5 (gold) •••••.•.••••••••••••••.•• 5
Prospect No. 10 (gold) •.••••••••..••.•••.•.•• 10
Prospect No. 12 (gold) •••••••••••.••••••••.•• 12 -
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Prospect No. 20 (gold) ....................... 20
Prospect No. 29 (gold) ••••.•••.•••••••••••.•• 29
Prospect No. 34 (gold) ••••••••..••••••••••••• 34
Prospect No. 40 (silver;fold) .•.••••••••••••• 40
Prospect No. 43 (gold-s1 ver) •.••••.••••••••• 43
Prospect No. 44 (gold-silver) •••••••••••••••• 44
Prospect No. 45 (gold) •.••••.•••.•..•••••..•• 45
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Prospect No. 49 (gold) •••••...•••••••.•••.••. 49
Prospect No. 62 (gold) ••••••••.•••••••••••••• 62
Pros ect No. 72 {silver-gold-copper) •.••••••. 72
rospec o. Sl ver-go -copper- ead) ••.• 77
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Prospect No. 78 (gold) •••.••••.•.••.••..••.•. 78
Red Dog Mine (gold) •.•••••..••••.••.•.•.•.•.• 22
Rock Roof Mine (gold-silver-copper-lead) •.••. 16
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Sal Prospect (gold-silver) •......•..•.•.....• 37
Saline Valley Salt Tram ••.••••.•.••.•..••..•. 79
Silver Harvest Prospect (silver) .••.•••.•.... 68
Silver Rid e No.1 Prospect (silver-cop er-
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Silver Ridge No.2 Mine (silver-gold-lead-
zinc) ....................................... 38
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Silver Ridge No.3 Prospect ................•. 39
Snowflake Talc Mine •.•••......•...•••......•• 4l
Spring Mine (gold) .....•..•.••.••.•.•.•....•• 65
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Sweitzer Mine (silver) ••.•.•...•.....•....... 23
Taylor-McElvoy Mine area (gold-silver) ..••••. 13
Trapier Mine (gold-silver-lead) ....•..•..•... 75
Trio Millsite •.•..••..••••••.....•.•..•••••.• 42
Valley View Prospect (silver-gold) ..•••..•.•• 57
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The northeast, southwest, and southeast edges of the WSA can be reached by
the Cerro Gordo road, which departs the Death Valley Hignway (Hignway 190) at
Keeler, 13 miles soutneast of Lone Pine, CA; and by the Saline Valley road
which departs Highway 190 at Santa Rosa Flat 26 miles southeast of Lone Pine.
Within the WSA is a 200-mi1e-10ng network of trails built in the 1870 l s to
provide access to the mines. Maintenance ceased in the early 1900's and most
trails are now in disrepair and hard to find and follow. The most practical
means of travel in the WSA is by helicopter.
Water is scarce. The only permanent streams are small creeks in Pat Keyes,
McE1voy, Beveridge, Hunter, and Craig Canyons. Their sources are springs that
are found at elevations between 5,200 and 7,300 ft. Most precipitation falls
between December and May. Snowfall is erratic but usually deep enough to
prevent travel across the mountains.
Vegetation in the WSA varies with elevation. At low elevation, Where
precipitation is low and temperatures nigh, sagebrush, sparse grass, and
desert-type plants predominate. At higher elevations, where there is more
precipitation and cooler temperatures, grow limber pine, bristlecone pine,
juniper, and pinyon pine. Much of the timber suitable for mining purposes was
cut down prior to 1900 and little has grown back. Most of the WSAls creek
bottoms are filled with dense thickets of roses and willows.
Previous Studies
... Tne geology of the WSA was outlined by Knopf and Kirk (1918). Ross (1967)
pUb1isned a generalized geologic map of tne region including the WSA .
... PUblished descriptions of mineral developments concentrated on tne Keynote
(Keynot) and Bighorn Mines (fig. 2, nos. 25 and 61). These, as well as the
descriptions of a few other mines, were brief and sketchy. Between 1880 and
... 1890 government officials made brief visits to what is now the WSA and
pub1isned tne information gathered in Director of the Mint reports (Burchard,
.. 1881 - 1883, 1885; Leecn 1890). Crawford (1894, and 1896) pub1isned some
brief descriptions of a few mines and mills. Waring and Huguenin (1919),
Tucker (1926 and 1934), and Tucker and Sampson (1938) produced the best
reports available; Norman and Stewart (1951) updated those reports. Page
... (1951) pUb1isned detailed descriptions on the Inyo Mountain talc deposits.
Merriam (1963) published a detailed description of tne Cerro Gordo mining
district, which included deposits in the WSA. The U. S. Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) (1980) did a preliminary analysis of Inyo Mountains mineral
potential.
14
Present Study
Work by the U. S. Bureau of Mines, Western Field Operations Center,
Spokane, WA, entailed prefie1d, field, and report writing phases that
spanned the years 1981 through 1984, and involved about 4.5
employee-years. Prior to field work, claim and mining data were obtained
from records of Inyo County and BLM, from publications, and from claim
owners. Director of the Mint reports, California State publications, and
Bureau of Mines statistical files were searched for production records;
few were found. Therefore, much of the production given in this report
is a compilation of the few records, and estimates based on workings
sizes and sample data. Claim owners were contacted, when possible, for
permission to examine properties and publish the results; in some cases
they accompanied the author to the property.
The field studies involved searches for all mines, mills, and
prospects; 84 were found. Included were two prospects located 0.5 mile
outside the WSA that were examined to determine whether mineralized zones -
might extend into the WSA. Most mines and prospects were mapped with
a1idade and plane table; all were sampled. Workings and facilities
examined included 13 gold mills, numerous small pits and cuts, about 270
underground workings, and 80 benches 2/. The underground workings, most
-
of which have stopes, total about 36,UOO ft; the benches total about
11,000 ft. Ore was probably produced from most workings examined.
-
-
Samples collected at mines, mills, and prospects included 1,561 rock
and 18 alluvium samples. Rock samples were of two types: 1) Chip - a
regular series of rock chips taken in a continuous line across-a-
mineralized zone or other exposure; and 2) grfb - rock pieces taken
unsystematically from a dump, stockpile, or 0 float (loose rock lying on
the ground). The alluvium samples were either: 1) reconnaissance -
samples of surficial sand and gravel, generally one or two level 14-in
-
pans (with volumes of about 0.125 and 0.27 ft J respectively)
concentrated on site to check for the presence of gold or other heavy
minerals, or 2) channel - 1 ft 3 of material per linear foot taken
continuously down a cleaned, nearly-vertical bank or pit wall and
-
concentrated in a sluice box.
-
-
-
2/ Bench: A ledge which, in open-pit mines and quarries, forms a single
Teve1 of operation above which mineral or waste materials are excavated
from a contiguous bank or bench face (Thrush and Bureau of Mines Staff,
1968, p. 96).
15
ROCk samples were crushed, split, and checked for radioactivity and
fluorescent minerals at the Western Field Operations Center (WFOC) and
sent to a contract laboratory or to the Bureau's research center in Reno,
NV, for analyses. At least one sample from each mineralized structure
was analyzed by semi-Quantitative spectrography to determine the presence
of unsuspected minerals. The gold and silver contents of the rock
samples were determined by fire assay or fire assay combined with atomic
absorption analysis. The amounts of copper, lead, zinc, arsenic,
molybdenum, antimony, and tungsten were determined Dy atomic absorption
or inductively coupled plasma analysis. Talc Quality was determined by
petrographic and atomic absorption analyses. The alluvium samples were
concentrated by panning or sluicing in the field and then further
concentrated on a Wilfley table at WFOC. The gold was recovered from the
concentrates by amalgamation and weighed.
Resource tonnages were calculated by multiplying average sampled
thicknesses (ft) of the mineralized structures by their measured or
indicated lengths (ft). The products (ft2) were then multiplied by the
inferred depths (in most ~ases assumed to be one-half the length), and
the resulting volumes (ft ) divided by the factor 12 ft 3/ton. The
... grades (average metals contents) reported are weighted-by-1ength averages
of the chip samples across the mineralized structures. All estimates
reported are rounded to two significant figures to reflect precision of
measurements.
The resource classifications of the WSA deposits are based on
definitions in U.S. Bureau of Mines and Geological Survey, (1980) and
... Bureau cost estimates. It was assumed that typical mining and milling
conditions exist and that a reasonable recovery could De attained with
state-of-the-art methods. All costs are for new equipment, although in
... some cases used equipment could be more economical .
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
.. The aid and cooperation of other government officials and claim owners
were of great help. The author particularly appreciates the cooperation
received from Mark Lawrence and the staff of the Bureau of Land
... Management, Ridgecrest, CA, office; Jim Arasim and the staff of the
Forest Service, Lone Pine, CA, Ranger Station; and claim owners Douglas
McFarland, William Means, Alan Akin, John Saunders, Jim Russell, Wayne
O'B1eness, Mike Tillman, John Gamble, Kenneth Holm, Salvatore Campagna,
Ron Dahl, and Jonn Bonham. BLM and Forest Service personnel provided
information about geography and mines, as well as logistical help. Claim
owners gave data and in some instances assistance during examinations.
Bureau of Mines personnel who assisted in the data gathering and report
preparation included NiCholas Wetzel, Andrew Leszcykowski, Edward McHugh,
Terry Neumann, J. Mitchell Linne, Douglas Causey, Spencee Willett,
Clayton Rumsey, Gary Cwick, Charles SaDine, Harry Campbell, Lucia Kuizon,
and David Benjamin.
16
GEOLOGIC SETTING
Most of the WSA is underlain by granitic rocks which have intruded a
series of generally northwest-trending, sedimentary and volcanic rocks
consisting mainly of limestone, dolomite, quartzite, sandstone, shale,
and basalt. All the rocks have been intruded by dikes. The sedimentary
and volcanic rocks are intensely deformed, fractured, and in places near
the intrusions, metamorphosed. They have been complexly folded into an
anticlinal structure with an axis that roughly parallels the northwest
trend of the mountain range. At the core of the anticlinal structure are
the intrusive rocks.
The southern lnyo Mountains are bounded on the east and west by active
faults. The lnyo Mountains are being uplifted relative to Saline and
Owens Valleys.
Three principal types of mineral deposits are present in the WSA: 1)
fissure veins in the intrusive rock core that contain gold and accessory
silver, copper, lead, and zinc; 2) fissure and replacement veins,
associated with contact zones between intrusive and sedimentary rocks,
that contain silver and accessory lead, zinc, gold, and copper; and 3) ...
metasomatic talc lenses that are also along sedimentary-intrusive rock
contact zones. Formation of the mineral deposits appears to have been
related to intrusion of quartz monzonite and quartz diorite into the
calcareous and dolomitic sedimentary rocks. Also present are small,
..
scattered, alluvium deposits with trace amounts of gold, and large
occurrences of limestone, dolomite, and other stone. There is no
evidence of energy resources.
..
..
..
..
...
...
...
17
MINES, MILLS, AND PROSPECTS
History and Production
Lode mlnlng began in tne vicinity of tne WSA witn tne 1861 discovery of
silver-gold deposits in the Lone Pine (Russ) Mining District and tne 1866
(1861 ?) discovery of silver-lead deposits near Cerro Gordo (Knopf and
Kirk, 1918, p. 105 and 108).
Tne principal WSA mines, Keynote (Keynot) and Bignorn, were discovered
in the 1870's (Burchard, 1882, p. 39, Tucker and Sampson, 1938, p. 383).
Tne Beveridge Mining District was organized in 1877. Its boundaries, as
described in minutes taken at the organizational meeting, were drawn to
include tne Keynote and Bighorn Mines as well as all mines on tne
nortneast slope of the Inyo Mountains witnin 15 miles of tne Cerro Gordo
district; essentially tne WSA. The town of Beveridge was settled in 1878
and occupied until the early 1900's. In the 1880's and 1890's other
small settlements grew around arrastras 31 and other mills built in
Craig, Hunter, McElvoy, and Pat Keyes Canyons.
Most gold mining in the Beveridge district was done between 1878 and
1906. The ore was handsorted at the mines to a gold content of over 6
ozlton before being transported to the mills. At first the ore was
treated in small burro-powered arrastras located near water. Later,
- small steam-powered-stamp il mills were built to process the handsorted
ore.
- Between 1906 and 1930 mining was tried at a few localities in the
district and small cyanide mills 51 were erected. However, most failed
because size of the operations resulted in high costs. No production was
- recorded during this period.
-
- 3/ Arrastre: arrastra: A clrcular rock-lined pit in Which broken ore is
pulverized Dy stones attached to horizontal poles fastened in a central
pillar and dragged around the pit (ThrUSh and Bureau of Mines Staff,
1968, p. 53).
41 Stamp mill: An apparatus in wnich rOCK is crusned by descending
pestles (stamps), operated by waterpower or steampower. Amalgamation is
usually combined with crUShing wnen gold or silver is the metal sought
(Tnrush and Bureau of Mines Staff, 1968, p. 1066).
5/ Cyanide process: A process for the extraction of gold from finely
crUShed ores, concentrates, and tailings by means of cyanide of
potassium or sodium in dilute solutions. The gold is dissolved by the
solution and SUbsequently deposited (Thrusn and Bureau of Mines Staff,
1968, p. 296).
18
Mining activity increased in the 1930's when the price of gold rose to
$35/0z. Mills (including one equipped with two Huntington crushers 6/),
were built, but less than $4,000 worth of gold, silver, copper, 1ead~ and
zinc was produced. Between 1940 and the late 1960's, activity was mainly
assessment work. Activity again increased in the 1970's and 1980's, with
another rise in gold prices. In 1979, Far West Exploration Incorporated
acquired an interest in the Keynote Mine and began development. In 1983
that company flew in a cyanide leach plant by helicopter and began
processing the mine dump. Operations ceased later in the year.
Production records for the Beveridge District are incomplete; most
mining was prior to 1905, before detailed records were kept. Also, much
of the gold was exchanged for supplies and services making it difficult
to trace its source. Most production reported from the district came
from gold-bearing veins; very little came from silver-bearing veins.
About $420,000 in gold (29,000 oz) is reported to have been produced
from the Keynote (Keynot) and nearby mines prior to 1906 (Burchard, 1881, -
p. 29; 1882, p. 39 and 40; 1883, p. 53; 1885, p. 101; Leech, 1890, p. 99;
and Bureau of Mines production records). Tucker (1926, p. 466) also
reported that $40,000 in gold (1,600 oz) with some silver, copper, and
lead was produced from the Bighorn Mine by 1926. The Los Angeles Mining
-
Review reported that $2 million in gold was produced from the Beveridge
District by 1903 (Hall, 1903, p. 7). -
Examinations of mine workings in the WSA suggest that precious metals
were probably produced from 33 mines in addition to the Keynote and
Bighorn. It is estimated that the 35 mines yielded at least 38,000 oz of -
gold and 39,000 oz of silver 71. Sample analyses of mill feed and
tailings taken at three mills-suggest that less than 50% gold recovery
was attained. Some copper, lead, and zinc were also recovered, but their
total value was small. -
6/ Huntington mill: A cylindrical vertical tub from 3.5-to 6-ft in -
-
oiameter, with screen-guarded peripheral apertures through which ore
pulp can be discharged after passing through the comminuting zone.
Grinding is done by four rolling mu11ers which hang inside from a yoke,
and which press outward when rotating, thus bearing on ore caught
between them and the inner wall of the tub (Thrush and Bureau of Mines
Staff, 1968, p. 557).
71 A compilation based on 1) Director of the Mint records, 2) Bureau of
-
Hines records, 3) a 1926 report by Tucker, and 4) estimates based on
stope and bench volumes and sample data for mines for which records are
not available. According to production records, the price paid for the
-
gold bullion produced prior to 1884 averaged $14/oz; the price averaged
about $2010z from 1884 until 1933. -
-
19 -
Talc mining began in Inyo County in 1912 and in the WSA in the 1930's
(Norman and Stewart, 1951, p. 32). Between the 1930's and 1950's, Inyo
County deposits were among the principal sources of steatite grade talc 8/
in the United States (Page, 1951, p. 5). Four mines in the WSA (in order
of the amount of talc produced: Bonham, Florence, Snowflake, and Doris
Dee) yielded about 50,000 tons of steatite talc. It was a strategic
mineral used in radios and other military and civilian equipment. In the
1960's the need for steatite talc decreased as cheaper, lower-grade talc
was adapted for most steatite uses. Intermittent talc production has
continued until the present (1984).
Mining Claims
The first mining claim in what is now the WSA was a lode claim located
near Beveridge Creek in 1866. Early mining claim records for the
Beveridge District were not recorded with the county, and the total
number of claims located in the district can not be determined. However,
the numbers of mine workings, and the long span of years over which
mining activity occurred, suggest that well over a thousand claims were
located. Most of the important mines in the district have been held by
location continous1y since the 1870's. In the early 1980's, the
increasing gold price and the implementation of new regulations governing
the location, recordation, and holding of mining claims, caused
... relocations of many old claims as well as filings of many new ones. In
1984, BlM claim records indicated 41 individuals held 204 mining claims .
The largest claim blocks held are 61 Keynot lode claims, 42 lode claims
at the Bighorn Mine, 27 Beveridge Canyon MN lode, placer, and mi11site
... claims, and 35 claims that comprise the Big Silver Mine and Morning Sun
prospect. The majority of the lode claims held in 1984 were on
gold-bearing veins; 45 were on silver-bearing veins and talc deposits .
...
There are no mineral leases or patented mining claims in the WSA. The
patented Auguste and Cerro Gordo Soapstone claims in Bonham Canyon (fig.
.. 2, no. 81) are less than 0.5 mile to tne south .
Gold in Veins
.. Tne WSA's principal mineral resources are a system of gold-bearing
quartz veins in a zone of northerly trending, gently dipping fractures in
quartz monzonite and quartz diorite. The gold vein system extends from
... the Trapier Mine (fig. 2, no. 75), where it plunges under sedimentary
rocks, northwest about 11 miles to the Cougar Mine (no. 5), where it's
base is exposed. To the north of the Cougar Mine, the veins have been
eroded and barren granitic rocks exposed. At its widest in Beveridge
Canyon, the vein system extends about 3 miles from Prospect No. 43 (no.
43) west to tne Bluebird Prospect (no. 28).
8/ Steatite talc: A nigh-grade variety of talc suitable for use in

electronic insulators (Tnrush and Bureau of Mines Staff, 1968, p. 1073).
20
Individual gold-bearing veins are as thick as 8.5 ft, as long as 4,200
ft and usually more than 100 ft apart. They have been fractured and
squeezed by movement along the enclosing fractures. Most of the veins
are displaced by cross faults. The distribution of veins is not
conducive to large-scale relatively inexpensive mining methods. The
veins are well defined, and wallrock is fresh and unaltered.
The gold-bearing veins are mainly drusy quartz (cavities or openings
lined with quartz crystals). The quartz contains discrete gold particles
and gold particles associated with limonite- and malachite-stained
sulfides of silver, copper, lead, zinc, or iron.
Where more than 6 oz/ton ($84/ton) visible gold was present the quartz
veins were mined. The ore was hand-sorted and the gold was recovered by
amalgamation 9/. Little of this rich ore is left in place. Quartz
remaining at most prospects has lower gold values.
...
Table 1 summarizes the 38 significant gold mines and prospects
identified in the WSA. More detailed descriptions of the five major
ones, in order or relative importance, follow Table 1.
...
..
..
..
..
..
...
9/ Amalgamation: A process of gola or silver recovery in which the ore.

Tinely divided and suspended in water, is passed over a surface of liquid ...
mercury to form an amalgam. The amalgam is subjected to fire-refining
processes for the recovery of the gold and silver (Thrush and Bureau of
Mines Staff, 1968. p. 33). ...
21 ...
I I I I I
TABLE 1. - Significant gold mines and Eros~ects
(--, too poorly exposed to determine quantity and grade)

Map no. Quant ity Resource 1
Name (fig. 2) (tons) classification ~ Grade '!:,./ CormlOdi ty
American Flag Mine 76 790 Occurrence 0.49 Gold
1.31 Silver
1.4 Copper
Beveri dge Canyon 55 17,000 do •••••••••••• .04 Gold
MN Prospect
Beveridge Canyon 51 do •••••••••••• Gold 3/
MN No. 12 Mine
Beveri dge Canyon 58 do •••••••••••• Gold
MN No. 26 Prospect
Beveridge Canyon 56 do ••.••.•••••• Gold
MN No. 28 Prospect
Beveridge Mine 48 20U,000 Inferred marginal .3 Gold
reserve 1.1 Silver 4/
Bighorn Mine area 61 1,200,000 do •••••••••••• .39 Gold
2.4 Si 1ve r
.4 Copper if
Bluebird Prospect 28 67 ,000 Occurrence .02 Gold
Blueledge Prospect 17 320 do •••••••••••• .43 Gold
.21 Silver
Chambe rs Mi ne 33 4,000 do •••••••••••• .16 Gold
.29 Silver
TABLE 1. Si9nificant gold mines and ~ros~ects--Continued
Map no. Quant ity Resource

Name (fig. 2) (tons) classification Grade Conunodity
Cinnamon Mine 24 120 Occurrence 0.26 Gold
.87 Copper
Cougar Mine 7 1,100 do •••••••••••• .44 Gold
Crysta 1 Mi ne 19 340 do •••••••••••• .18 Gold
Gavalan Mine area 59 33,000 Inferred marginal .42 Gold
reserve
Gold Bug Mine 14 3,000 Occurrence .13 Gold
v Highland Chief Mine 31 do •••••••••••• Gold

oJ
Horseshoe Mine 54 81,000 do •••••••••••• .08 Gold

Hunter Arrastras 64 1,000 do •••••••••••• .17 Gold
1.4 Si 1ver
.26 Copper
.19 Lead
Johny Mi ne 11 670 do •••••••••••• .8 Gold
Joy and Vega Prospect 67 do •••••••••••• Gold
Keynote (Keynot) Mine 25 2,500,00U Inferred marginal .17 Gold
reserve
10U,000 21 do •••••••••••• .43 Gold
.56 Si 1ver
.21 Copper
I I I I I I I I I I I I
--~--~-----~--------~----------
I I I I I I
TABLE 1. - Significant gold mines and prospects--Continued

Map no. Quantity Resource 1
Name (fig. 2) (tons) classification _I Grade Y Corrrnod it~
Keynote (Keynot) Mine 25 47,OOU §./ Indicated marginal 0.21 Gold
(Cont. ) reserve .53 Sil ver
Keynot No. 30 Mine 26 Occurrence Gold
Keys Mine 6 18,000 do •••••••••••• .25 Gold

.61 Silver
Lau ra Mi ne 21 57,000 do •••••••••••• .08 Gold

.24 Si 1ve r
.,.
N
Mano Del Hombre Mine 47 4,900 do •••••••••••• .29 Gold
Mano Del Hombre 46 6,90U do •••••••••••• .06 Gold

Segundo Mi ne .54 Silver
No. 18 Mine 18 90 do •••••••••••• .11 Gold

.25 Sil ver
No. 32 Mine 32 1,600 do •••••••••••• .2 Gold
No. 35 Mine 35 12,000 do •••••••••••• .13 Gold

1.3 Sil ver
.23 Copper
Panament View Mine 27 480 do •••••••••••• .12 Gold

1.8 Silver
.09 Copper
.89 Lead
Prospect No. 12 12 do •••••••••••• Gold

TABLE 1. Significant gold mines and eroseects--Continued
Map no. Quant ity Resource
Name (fig. 2) (tons) classification Grade COfJ1l1oditt
Prospect No. 29 29 Occurrence Gold
Prospect No. 62 62 5,000 do •••••••••••• 0.09 Go 1d
.84 Silver
.1 Copper
Red Dog Mine 22 6,800 do •••••••••••• .09 Gold
N
U'"1
.12 Silver
Rock Roof Mine 16 do •••••••••••• Gold
Taylor-McElvoy 13 370,000 Inferred marginal .24 Gold
Mine area reserve .23 Si 1ver
1/ U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey (1980).

2/ Precious metals reported in oz/ton and base metals in %.
3/ Commodity determined by analyses of samples from dumps and stockpiles.
4/ Also contained erratic lead values.
5/ This part of the resource is located in the principal workings; included in 2,500,000 ton total.
6/ Dump material; included in 2,500,000 ton total.
I I I I I I I I I
NAME: Keynote (Keynot) Mine
OWNERS: Douglas G. McFarland, Denver, CO; and Barbara Smitn, Keeler, CA
INDEX MAP NO: Fig. 2, no. 25
MILS NO: (U.S. Bureau of Mines Minerals Industry Location System Number)
0060271257
LOCATION: Secs. 15 and 22, T. 14 S., R. 37 E.; Lat. N. 36 0 43 1 21",
Long. W. 117 0 56 08"; on tne divide between Keynote and McE1voy
1
Canyons about 1.5 miles nortneast of the summit of Keynote Peak.

ELEVATION: 7,400 to 9,000 ft
ACCESS: East about 26 miles by tne Cerro Gordo road from Lone Pine, CA,
to New York Butte, tnen northeast 8 miles by the unmaintained Beveridge
trail. Alternate access is by tne Keynote and Beveridge trails which
begin at the Snowflake Talc Mine in Saline Valley. These trails are also
in poor condition and require a climb of about 5,000 ft in 6 miles.
HISTORY: The Keynote Mine was discovered in 1878, operated continuously
tnrough 1883, and intermittently thereafter until 1906. In 1937, some
exploration work was done, but no ore was produced. In tne 1940 1 s, two
claims were relocated and have been ne1d to tne present (1984). In 1979,
... Far West Exploration acquired tne mine and located tne Keynot 1-61
claims. In 1983, tne company flew in by ne1icopter a 250 ton/d cyanide
gold recovery plant and began mining the dump. Operations were suspended
... later in tne year .
PRODUCTION: Director of tne Mint reports and Bureau of Mines records
.. indicate tnat at least 29,000 oz of gold bullion worth about $420,000
were recovered prior to 1906. It is estimated tnat 55,000 tons of ore
were mined and about 5,000 tons of handsorted ore packed to mills located
on Beveridge and McE1voy Creeks .
...
GEOLOGY: At tne Keynote Mine four Quartz veins are in Quartz monzonite:
tne nearly parallel Keynote, War Eagle, and East Veins, eacn several
.. nundred feet apart, and tne sUbparallel Garson vein (fig. 3). Tne three
parallel veins are as tnick as 5.0 ft, averaging 2.1 ft, strike N.
35 0 -70 0 W., dip 25 0 -55 0 SW., and crop out intermittently for as
much as 4,200 ft. Tney branCh, and are segmented by faults. The Garson
... vein strikes N. 50 0 -70 0 W., dips 25 0 -35 0 SW., crops out
intermittently for about 1,500 ft, and is as tnick as 4.0 ft. Near tne
surface the veins are primarily leaChed, drusy quartz with gold. At
deptn tne gold occurs as discrete particles and as particles associated
with Chalcopyrite and pyrite and with small amounts of galena and
sphalerite.
26
WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: All thirty underground workings total about 10,000
ft. They are most extensive along the Keynote Vein where there are more than
8,000 ft of underground workings. In addition, there are more than twenty
small pits and cuts, nine small cabins, the remnants of an air concentrator,
and a cyanide mill.
SAMPLING: A total of 245 samples were taken at the Keynote Mine; 187 were
chip samples across veins. Eighty-seven of the chip samples had more than 0.1
oz gold/ton; 39 of those contained more than 0.43 oz/ton. Fifty-one of the
chip samples also assayed more than 0.56 oz silver/ton, and 24 had more than
0.21% copper. The samples also contained minor amounts of lead and zinc. The
base metals would not be recoverable, and their presence complicates gold
-
recovery.
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The 9,700 ft of veins identified at the Keynote Mine
average 2.1 ft thick and are estimated to contain about 2.5 million tons of
inferred marginal reserves of vein material averaging 0.17 oz gold/ton. Part
of this resource is a 100,000-ton segment of the Keynote vein that averages
0.43 oz gold/ton, 0.56 oz silver/ton, and 0.21% copper. Also part of the
-
resource is the principal mine dump that contains 47,000 tons of material that
averages 0.21 oz gold and 0.53 oz silver/ton. -
CONCLUSIONS: Cost analysis of a typical production plan indicates the deposit
might be profitably mined at a gold price on the order of $600/oz. Additional
gold resources of similar grade would probably be disclosed by trenching or
drilling.
-
-
-
-
..
-
-
-
27
NAME: Bighorn Mine area
OWNERS: Kenneth Holm Ephrata, WA; and Barbara Smith, Keeler, CA
MILS NO: (U.S. Bureau of Mines ~1inera1 Industry Location System number)
0060270123
LOCATION: N. 1/2 Sec. 36, T. 14 S., R. 37 E.; Lat. N. 36 0 411 15", Long.
W. 117 0 54 1 03"; northside of Robles Canyon, about 1 mile west of it1s
junction with Hunter Canyon.
ELEVATIm,: 6,500 to 8,900 ft
ACCESS: East about 27 miles by tne Cerro Gordo road from Lone Pine, CA, to
the head of Craig Canyon, tnen about 6 miles north by unmaintained bulldozer
road and tra i1 .
HISTORY: The Bighorn Mine was discovered in 1877, operated continuously until
1893, and intermittently until tne 1930 1s. Ore was packed by burro to Hunter
Creek where the gold bullion (gold witn some silver and copper) was recovered
by amalgamation in arrastras. Forty-two claims were located over the mine
area in 1980.
PRODUCTION: Tucker (1926, p. 466) reported that about $40,000 in gold, with
some silver, copper, and lead were recovered. It is estimated that about
- 4,000 tons of ore containing at least 1,600 oz of gold and 9,600 oz of silver
were mined.
- GEOLOGY: At the mine are the nearly parallel Porter, Jewel, and Key veins,
and a poorly exposed northwest-trending crosscutting vein, all in quartz
monzonite (fig. 4). The parallel veins are as thick as 8.5 ft, (averaging 2.3
ft), trend N. 80 0 E., dip 25 0 -85 0 NW. and can be traced along strike for
- about 4,000 ft. The crosscutting vein dips gently southwest, is as thick as
3.5 ft, and crops out intermittently for about 3,000 ft. The veins pinch and
swell, and are deformed and offset by faults. They are composed of drusy
- quartz with malaChite, limonite, hematite, pyrite, Chalcopyrite, galena, and

gold.
WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: Fifteen underground workings, eight Denches, and at
- least 14 prospect pits and cuts are in an area 2,000 ft
long. The underground workings total 3,000 ft, and the
Part of a small cyanide mill is near the "No.2 Tunnel"
wide and 6,000 ft
DenChes 2,000 ft.
(adit).
- SAMPLING: A total of 146 samples were taken; 88 were Chip samples across
veins. Sample analyses indicate gold and silver are the principal
commodities, with secondary copper and lead. Of tne Chip samples, 42 nad more
than 0.1 oz gold/ton; 17 of the 42 had more than 0.39 oz/ton. Twenty of the
cnip samples contained more than 2.4 oz silver/ton and 28 had more than 0.4%
copper.
29
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The three parallel veins are estimated to contain about
1.2 million tons of inferred marginal reserves averaging 0.39 oz gold/ton, 2.4
oz silver/ton, and 0.4% copper. The crosscutting vein is too poorly exposed
to allow size and grade estimate.
CONCLUSIONS: Additional gold resources of similar grade would probably be
outlined by drilling and trenching. Cost analysis of a typical production
plan indicates the deposit might be profitably mined at gold a price on the
order of $600/oz if produced in conjunction with other deposits feeding a
common mill.
...
...
..
..
..
.. 1
j
..
..
..
...
..
30
NAME: Taylor-McElvoy Mine area
MILS NO: (U.S. Bureau of Mines Mineral Industry Location System Number)
0060271415
LOCATION: Sec. 3, T. 14 S., R. 38 E.; Lat. 36 0 44 1 44", Long. W. 117 0 56 1
27"; north side of McE1voy Creek about 3 miles west of Saline Valley.
ACCESS: East about 87 miles by tne Saline Valley road from Lone Pine, CA to
tne mouth of McElvoy Canyon, then west about 4 miles by unmaintained trail.
HISTORY: The mine probably was discovered in tne 1870 1 s. Burchard (1882, p.
39) reported that in 1880 the mill processed ore from the Keynote Mine.
Crawford (1894, p. 138 and 139) stated tnat tne mine was not worked for many
years. The types of equipment present suggest activity during tne 1880 s and
l
1930 1 s.
PRODUCTION: No production was recorded from the mine. It is estimated tnat
800 tons of ore containing at least 200 oz of gold and 200 oz of silver were
mined .
... GEOLOGY: Eight gold-bearing quartz veins 200 to 300 ft apart are in quartz
monzonite (fig. 5). Tne veins trend northwest, dip gently soutnwest; are as
... thick as 3.3 ft, averaging 1.7 ft; and are traceable for about 4,500 ft. They
have been deformed and offset by faults. The veins are composed of drusy
quartz witn gold, malachite, limonite, nematite boxwork, pyrite, and
chalcopyrite •
...
WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: Along the veins are 13 adits totaling about 2,200
ft, nine benches totaling 1,300 ft, and a dismantled mill with arrastre, stamp
.. mill, and steam engine .
SAMPLING: Seventy-tnree of the 84 samples taken were cnip samples across
... veins. Twenty-five of tne chip samples nad more than 0.1 oz gold/ton; 20 of
those contained more tnan 0.24 oz/ton. Twenty-six of tne Chip samples assayed
more tnan 0.23 oz silver/ton; 7 of the 26 nad more than 1.0 oz/ton.
... RESOURCE ESTIMATE: Tne eight veins are estimated to contain 370,000 tons of
inferred marginal reserves averaging 0.24 oz gold and 0.23 oz silver/ton.
CONCLUSIONS: Additional resources of similar grade would proDab1y be revealed
by drilling and trenching. Analysis of a typical production plan indicates
tne deposit mignt be profitably mined at a good price on tne order of $600/oz
if produced in conjunction with nearby deposits feeding a common mill.
32
-
-
-
-
-
...
-
-
-
NAME: Beveridge Mine
OWNERS: Glen W. Akin, Alan D. Akin, and Dan Dickman, Keeler, CA
MILS NO: (U. S. Bureau of Mines Mineral Industry Location System Number)
0060721359
LOCATION: S. 1/2 Sec. 23 and SW. 1/4 Sec. 24, T. 14 S., R. 37 E.; Lat.
N. 36 0 42' 30", Long. W. 117 0 54' 30"; on Beveridge Creek about 0.5 mile
downstream from the confluence of Cove Spring Creek.
ACCESS: East about 87 miles by the Saline Valley road from Lone Pine, CA, to
the Snowflake Talc Mine, then west 4.5 miles by unmaintained trail.
HISTORY: Much unrecorded work was done before the location of the two
Beveridge claims in 1971 and 1974.
PRODUCTION: No production was recorded. It is estimated that 1,000 tons of
ore containing at least 300 oz of gold and 1,000 oz of silver were mined.
GEOLOGY: A gold-bearing vein in quartz monzonite is as thick as 8 ft, strikes
N. 300 E., dips 35 0 NW., and is traceable for 1,500 ft (fig. 6). The vein
is mainly drusy quartz with pyrite, limonite, malachite, chalcopyrite, and
... gold •
WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: Workings consist of tnree open adits, six caved
.. ones, two shafts, one incline shaft, three prospect pits, four benches, a
wire1ine tram, and a partially dismantled mill. The underground workings
total an estimated 700 ft and the benches 400 ft. The mill contains two
.. Huntington grinding mills (eacn driven by a gasoline engine), a concentrating
table, and two cyanide vats •
SAMPLING: A total of 42 samples were taken; 33 were chip samples across the
vein. Of the Chip samples, 14 had more than 0.1 oz gold/ton; six of these had
... more than 0.3 oz/ton. Seven of the chip samples also contained more than 1.1
oz silver/ton. Some copper and lead were also detected.
.. RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The vein averages 2.1 ft thick and is estimated to contain
about 200,000 tons of inferred marginal reserves that average 0.3 oz gold and
1.1 oz silver/ton.
CONCLUSIONS: Drilling would probably disclose additional resources of similar
grade. Analysis of a typical production plan indicates the deposit might be
profitably mined at a gold price on the order of $600/oz if produced in
conjunction with nearby deposits feeding a common mill.
34
I I I I I I 1 I I I
5840
o 200 400 FEET

\ \ Contour interval 200 feet
,
FIGURE 6. - Beveridge Mine
NAME: Gava1an Mine area
0060270551
LOCATION: Sec. 36, T. 14 S., R. 37 E.; Lat. N. 36 0 40' 56", Long. W. 117 0
54' 28"; atop the divide between Robles and Hunter Canyons about 0.3 mile
south from the Bighorn Mine.
ACCESS: East about 26 miles by the Cerro Gordo road from Lone Pine, CA, to
the head of Craig Canyon, then north about 6.5 miles by unmaintained bulldozer
road and trail.
HISTORY: The mine was discovered in the 1870's and worked intermittently
until 1900.
PRODUCTION: Crawford (1894, p. 137) reported that a vein 5 ft thick and 200
ft deep was mined. It is estimated that about 8,300 tons of ore containing at
least 3,400 oz of gold were produced.
GEOLOGY: Poor exposures of irregular, faulted quartz veins are intermittently
exposed for 1,700 ft (fig. 7). The veins, ranging from 2.0 to 13.0 ft thick,
are in quartz diorite and contain malachite, limonite, pyrite, and galena •
... WORKINGS: Seven small pits and three adits totaling 150 ft.
SAMPLING: Twenty-nine samples were taken; 18 were chip samples across veins.
... Nine of the 18 chip samples were across the Gava1an vein. Sample analyses
indicate gold is the principal commodity with secondary silver, copper, and
lead. Four of the nine samples across the Gava1an vein assayed more than 0.1
... oz gold/ton and two assayed more than 0.42 oz/ton •
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: Only the Gava1an vein is well enough exposed to estimate
... resources. This east trending, vertical vein averages 2.9 ft thick and is
exposed for 520 ft. It is estimated to contain about 33,000 tons of inferred
marginal reserves that average 0.42 oz gold/ton.
... CONCLUSIONS: Additional resources of similar grade would probably be found by
subsurface exploration along the Gava1an vein and along the other poorly
exposed veins. Analysis of a typical production plan indicates the deposit
... might be profitably mined at a gold price on the order of $600/oz if produced
in conjunction witn other deposits feeding a common mill.
36
6<!P
tf I I I EXPLANATION
I §
o
QuarIZ diorile
.............J~
Vein, showin, dip,
dashed where inferred
_ _ J!!.
Faull, showina dip,
..-l'
JOinl, showin, dip
----<
Adil, underJrOund
workinp are dashed
X
Prospect pit
o, 100
, 200
, FEET
o
Conlour inlerval 80 feel Cabin ruins
FIGURE 7. - Gavalan Mine area
I I I I I I I I I I
Gold Occurrences
In addition to the five principal gold-bearing vein deposits, there are 33
poorly defined, smaller, or lower grade gold occurrences (Table 1).
Twenty-two of the 33 contain a total of at least 290,000 tons of vein material
with between 0.02 and 0.80 oz gold/ton. Eleven of the 33 occurrences are too
poorly exposed to estimate the volume and grade of gold-bearing quartz. The
gold vein occurrences which have best continuity and, therefore, are most
likely to have resources are the American Flag Mine (fig. 2, no. 76),
Beveridge Canyon MN Prospect (no. 55), B1ue1edge Mine (no. 17). Chambers Mine
(no. 33), Gold Bug Mine (no. 14), Horseshoe Mine (no. 54), Johny Mine (no.
11), Keynot No. 30 Mine (no. 26), Laura Mine (no. 21), Mano Del Hombre Mine
(no. 47), No. 18 Mine (no. 12), No. 32 Mine (no. 32), No. 35 Mine (no. 35),
and the Red Dog Mine (no. 22).
Silver in Veins
Silver-bearing veins are mainly in calcareous, dolomitic sedimentary rocks
that were fractured, deformed, and metamorphosed by granitic rocks, or basic
dikes. The most significant silver-bearing veins are in a zone that extends
from the Gold Standard Mine (fig. 2, no. 66) southeast about 2 miles to the
Morning Sun Prospect (no. 70). This zone parallels the fault between the Inyo
Mountains and Saline Valley. The veins are widely spaced fissure fillings and
replacements as thick as 20 ft. They trend north-northwest, dip steeply, and
are segmented by faults and dikes. The veins are composed mainly of breccia,
gouge, limonite, malachite, drusy-quartz. and calcite. Where unoxidized,
complex sulfides containing silver, with erratic amounts of lead, zinc,
... copper, gold and arsenic may be present •
The thirteen significant silver mines and prospects in the WSA are
summarized in Table 2. More detailed descriptions of the three major ones, in
.. order of relative importance, follow Table 2•
..
...
...
38
-~"- -~".~'""'..,.",..,.-~-.'.-~
TABLE 2. - Significant silver mines and prospects

(--, too poorly exposed to determine quantity and grade)
Map no. Quantity Resource
Name {fi~. 2) (tons} classification Grade Commodit~
American Prospect 84 390,000 Occurrence 0.7 Silver

.2 Copper
.8 Lead
.4 Zinc
Auguste Mine 81 53,000 Occurrence (estimated) Silver 11
.02 Gold
.1 Copper
(estimated) Lead
(estimated) Zinc
Big Silver Mine 69 57,000 Inferred 9.5 Silver if
w subeconomic
1..0
resource
Burgess Mine area 74 Occurrence Silver §..f
Lead
Zinc
Gold
Gold Standard Mine 66 440,000 do •.•••••••••• .01 Sil ver
1.7 Gold
.28 Copper
Morning Sun Prospect 70 44,000 Inferred 22.0 Si 1ver
subeconomic .32 Copper
resource .27 Lead
.76 Zinc
Prospect No. 40 4U Occurrence Si 1ver
Gold
I I I I I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I
TABLE 2. - Significant silver mines and prospects--Continued

Map-no~-------QuantTtY-----Re s ou rce 1 2
Name (fig. 2) (tons) classification ~ Grade _/ Commodity
Prospect No. 72 72 Occurrence Sil ver
Gold
Copper
Prospect No. 77 77 do •••••••••••• Si 1ver
Gold
Copper
Lead
Silver Harvest Prospect 68 180,000 Inferred 2.6 Sil ver
subeconomic
resource
Silver Ridge 36 5,300 Occurrence 1.7 Si 1ve r
No. 1 Prospect .13 Copper
2.5 Lead
Sweitzer Mine 23 540 do •••••••••••• 8.3 Si lver
1/ U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey (1980).

2/ Precious metals are reported in oz/ton and base metals in %.
3/ In the WSA, only the surface is accessible and chip samples contained only gold and copper; a dump sample
- had silver, lead, and zinc. However, identified in the extensive working outside the WSA (downdip), are
about 70,000 tons that average 0.07 oz gold/ton, 12.7 oz silver/ton, 1.3% copper, 1.0% lead, and 0.8%
zinc.
4/ Also contains erratic lead, zinc, copper, gold, and arsenic values.
I/ Commodities determined from analysis of samples from dumps and stockpiles.
NAME: Silver Harvest Prospect
OWNERS: Glen W. Akin, Alan B. Akin, and Dan Dickman, Keeler, 'CA
0060271410
LOCATION: SEa 1/4 Sec. 33, T. 14 5., R. 38 E. and NW. 1/4 Sec. 4. T. 15 S.,
R. 38 E.; Lat. N. 36 0 40' 31", Long. W. 117 0 50' 24"; crossing Craig
Canyon about 0.2 mile west of Saline Valley.
Craig Canyon, then west 1,500 ft on a trail. -
HISTORY: The two Silver Harvest claims were located in 1977.
GEOLOGY: A fracture zone trends northeast and dips steeply in the contact
-
between quartz monzonite and folded, intensely fractured, argillaceous
limestone. The zone is as thick as 81 ft, traceable for 1,800 ft and is
mainly leached and oxidized breccia and gouge with quartz and tetrahedrite -
(fig. 8).
WORKINGS: Except for a few hundred feet in the canyon bottom and on the ridge
..
top, the 1,800-ft-10ng exposure is inaccessible. Two adits totaling 41 ft
were found in the canyon bottom, and a small pit on the ridge top to the north.
SAMPLING: Analyses of eight samples taken at the two accessible exposures.
..
Six chip samples across the ridge top exposure had 0.7 to 24.0 oz silver/ton;
three of the six contained more than 2.6 oz/ton. ..
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The ridgetop exposure is 20 ft thick, 460 ft long, and is
estimated to contain 180,000 tons of inferred subeconomic resources averaging
2.6 oz silver/ton.
CONCLUSIONS: Additional silver-bearing material is probably present at depth
and in the inaccessible part of the zone exposed in the cliff. The zone is
large and has a significant silver content. Cost analyses of a typical
production plan indicates the deposit might be profitably mined at a silver
-
price on the order of $27/oz if produced in conjunction with other deposits
feeding a central mill. -
-
-
41 -
NAME: Big Silver Mine
OWNERS: Alice Grove, Olancha, CA; Sierra Mining Company, Sanger, CA; and Gold
Deposit Loan Company, San Francisco, CA
0060271360
LOCATION: SW. 1/4 Sec. 34, T. 14 S., R. 38 E., and NW. 1/4 Sec. 3, T. 15 S.,
R. 38 E.; Lat. N. 36 0 40 1 22", Long. W. 117 0 49 1 57"; at the mouth of
Craig Canyon.
ELEVATION: 1,600 to 2,800 ft.
Craig Canyon, then westerly 1 mile on the mine road.
HISTORY: The mine was briefly described by Tucker (1926, p. 477), Heikes
(1928, p. 302), and Tucker and Sampson, (1938, p. 428). Thirty-five claims
were located at the mine between 1968 and 1981.
PRODUCTION: No production is recorded; however, it is estimated that about
800 tons containing at least 7,600 oz of silver were mined.
- GEOLOGY: A silver-bearing quartz vein is in the irregular contact zone

between quartz monzonite and dolomitic limestone (fig. 9). The vein trends
northeasterly, dips southeasterly, and has been segmented into five parts by
east-trending faults and dikes. The vein segments are as thick as 12 ft and
- exposed portions total 700 ft in length. Vein material is mainly leached and
oxidized breccia, gouge, and quartz,with limonite, malachite, tetrahedrite,
- and sphalerite.
WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: Six adits that total 2,800 ft are along the vein.
Two wireline trams serviced the property, and part of the claims are crossed
- by the Morning Sun tram.

SAMPLING: A total of 45 samples were taken; 23 were chip samples across the
five vein segments. They show silver to be the principal commodity. Of the
- 23 samples, 21 assayed more than 1.0 oz silver/ton, and nine of these had more
than 9.5 oz/ton. Al so present were errati c amounts of gol d, copper, 1ead,
zinc, and arsenic.
- RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The five identified vein segments average 2.8 ft thick and
are estimated to contain about 57,000 tons of inferred subeconomic resources
averaging 9.5 oz silver/ton.
CONCLUSIONS: Additional silver resources would probably be disclosed by
drilling. Cost analysis of a typical production plan indicates the deposit
might be profitably mined at a silver price on the order of $27/oz if produced
in conjunction with other deposits feeding a central mill.
43
EXPLANATION
~
Quartz monzonite
I2J
Limestone
.___ ,!!.t ....
Mineralized zone, ahowinl dip,duhed where inferred
>--
O~I____~__~~FEET Adit
Contour Intervl' 400 feet ~
.1.ct:b
---
-
-
-
.pil ti -
~
Lone Pine, CA
---~
-=-....
<.
i -
-
-<
Ir
2400 ..
-
-
-
-
FIGURE 8. - Silver Harvest Prospect
-
NAME: Morning Sun Prospect
OWNERS: Alan B. Akin, Glen W. Akin, and Dan Dickman, Keeler, CA
0060271385
LOCATION: NW. 1/4 Sec. 3, T. 15 S., R. 38 E~; Lat. N~ 36 0 40' 02"~ Long.
W. 117 0 50' 06"; a southwest extension of the Big Silver mineralized zone,
about 0~3 mile south of the mouth of Craig Canyon.
the Big Silver Mine, then south 3,000 ft by unmaintained trail.
HISTORY: The two Morning Sun Claims were located in 1970 and 1974.
GEOLOGY: A silver-bearing quartz vein, as thick as 2.1 ft, is associated with
the irregular contact zone between quartz monzonite and intensely folded and
faulted, thin-bedded, dolomitic limestone (fig. 9). The vein is exposed for
900 ft, trends east, and dips steeply north. It is leached and oxidized, and
consists of drusy quartz with limonite, malachite, tetrahedrite, and
sphalerite.
... WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: A l15-ft-10ng adit, a prospect pit, and a wireline
tram •
SAMPLING: Eight samples were taken. Six chip samples across the vein show
... that silver is the principal commodity. Five of the six chip samples assayed
more than 5 oz silver/ton; three of these had more than 22 oz/ton.
... RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The vein averages 1.3 ft thick and 1s estimated to contain
about 44,000 tons of inferred subeconomic resources averaging 22.0 oz
Silver/ton, 0.32% copper, 0.27% lead, and 0.76% zinc.
... CONCLUSIONS: Drilling and trenching would probably disclose additional
resources. Cost analysis of a typical production plan indicates the deposit
might be profitably mined at a silver price on the order of $27/oz if produced
... in conjunction witn other deposits feeding a central mill •
...
45
Silver Occurrences
In addition to the three principal silver-bearing vein deposits, there are
nine poorly defined, smaller, or lower grade occurrences (Table 2). Five of
the nine contain a total of about 890,000 tons of vein material with 0.70 to
8.3 oz silver/ton, with some gold, lead, and zinc. Four of the nine
occurrences are too poorly exposed to estimate tonnage and grade. Those
occurrences which have best continuity of silver-bearing vein quartz and,
therefore, are most likely to have resources include the Auguste Mine (fig. 2,
no. 81), Gold Standard Mine (no. 66), Prospect No. 40 (no. 40), Silver Ridge
No.1 Prospect (no. 36), and Sweitzer Mine (no. 23).
Talc Deposits
Most talc lenses mined in the WSA are in calcareous, dolomitic sedimentary
rocks at the intersections between bedding plane fractures and crosscutting
fault zones. The lenses are as thick as 40 ft, grade into the wall rock,
contain pods of hard, siliceous, calcareous rock, and are near granitic
intrusions. The four talc mines in the WSA are along two zones. One
-
8-mile-long zone trends southeasterly from the Willow Creek Camp talc mines
(outside the study area) to the Doris Dee (fig. 2, no. l) and Snowflake Mines
(no. 41) (both in the WSA). The second zone is 3 miles long and trends
-
southeast from the Bonham (no. 82) to the Florence Mines (no. 83) (both in the
WSA), and then on south to the Holiday Mine (outside the WSA). The four talc
mines in the WSA have marginal reserves of mixed steatite and non-steatite
talc totaling about 640,000 tons (Table 3). Detailed mine descriptions follow
-
Table 3.
-
Table 3.-Talc mines
-
~.
!'
i
Name
Bonham (White
Map no. Marginal Reserves
(fi g. 2)
82
(tons) 1/
32,000
..
i
Mountain)
Doris Dee 1 20,000 -
Florence
Snowfl ake
83
41
. 250,000
340.000
-
-
-
1/ U.s. Bureau of Mines and U.s. Geological Survey (1980).
46
NAME: Snowflake Talc Mine
OWNERS: Dan Dickman, Glen W. Akin, and Alan B. Akin, Keeler, CA
MILS NO: (U~S. Bureau of Mines Mineral Industry Location System Number)
0060271413
LOCATION: SE~ 1/4, NE. 1/4 Sec. 18, T. 14 S~, R. 38 E.; Lat. N. 36 0
43 1 37", Long. W. 117 0 52 1 38"; on the divide between Beveridge and
Keynote Canyons about 0.6 mile west of Saline Valley.
ACCESS: East about 87 miles by the Saline Valley road from Lone Pine,
CA, to the unmaintained mine road, then west 1 mile to the mine.
HISTORY: The mine was discovered in the 1890 l s and has been worked
intermittently. In 1984 Pfizer Incorporated acquired an interest and
began developement.
PRODUCTION: No production was recorded for the mine. However, it is
estimated that 5,000 tons of talc were produced on a custom basis.
- GEOLOGY: Identified at the mine are four irregular, curvilinear, lenses
of talc that are as thick as 20 ft and total about 2,000 ft in length
- (fig. 10). The lenses are in cherty dolomitic limestone that was domed,
metamorphosed, and fractured by the intrusion of quartz diorite. The
lenses are composed of green-to-white, blocky talc that grades outward
into impure talc-schist stringers. Pods of hard, calcareous-siliceous
- rock are included in the talc.
-
-
-
47
.....
Iii
-I!
11:
! 1 .Ii
o I -
-
-
\
-
WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: There are two groups of workings about 1,300 ft
apart. At the east workings are a tunnel 360 ft long, a caved adit about 100
ft long, some small pits and cuts, and an ore bin. These workings are on two
of the talc lenses. At the west workings are an 80-ft-10ng adit with
connecting shaft, three benches, several small pits and cuts, and a dismantled
slusher. These workings are on the other two talc lenses.
SAMPLING: A total of 59 samples were taken. The chemical and petrographic
analyses of these samples established that a mixture of steatite and
non-steatite talc composes the deposits.
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The four lenses average about 6 ft thick and are estimated
to contain 340,000 tons of marginal talc reserves. In an August 17, 1982
written communication, P. A. Van Alstine, area geologist for Pfizer Inc.,
reports that the talc at the Snowflake Mine:
iss tea t i te grade, nontremo 1i ti c and therefore 0f higher
II • • •
value then Death Valley-type talc. Our initial estimate was

that there are potentially 40,000 to 60,000 tons of open-pit
talc. Samples of this talc ran 80-90 percent brightness
and 0.1 to 0.2 percent CaO."
CONCLUSIONS: Additional talc resources are likely to be disclosed by
trenching and drilling. Minable talc resources may be present in the large
lenses that have been identified. However, markets for the type of talc
produced would need to be developed and an unprocessed talc price in the order
of $48/ton or a processed talc price in the order of $83/ton would be required
for profitable mining.
-
-
-
-
49
NAME: Florence Talc Mine
OWNERS: Benjamin J. Bonham, Los Angeles, CA; and Roy C. Troeger, Encino, CA
0060271370
LOCATION: SEe 1/4, NE. 1/4 Sec. 1, T. 16 S., R. 38 E.; Lat. N. 36 0 34' 48",
Long. W. 117 0 46' 54"; on the south boundary of the WSA; in Bonham Canyon
about 2 miles from San Lucas Canyon.
ACCESS: East about 67 miles by the Saline Valley road from Lone Pine, CA
HISTORY: The mine was discovered in the 1930's and intermittently produced
talc, in conjunction with the Bonham Mine, until the present (1984).
-
PRODUCTION: Norman and Stewart (1951, p. 122) report that about 8,000 tons of
talc were produced from the mine between 1938 and 1948. The talc was shipped
-
directly or processed in a mill located in Keeler, CA, prior to shipment. The
mill closed in the 1960's.
-
GEOLOGY: The talc occurs as lenses in in flinty, dolomitic limestone at the
intersections between bedding-plane fractures and fault zones (fig. 11). The
four lenses are as thick as 4.1 ft and total about 2,200 ft in length. The
..
-..
limestone is overlain by quartzite. The fractures strike N. 600 -80 0 W.
and dip 150 -300 NE. The faults strike N. 100 -20 0 W. and dip
i, 500 -70 0 SW. Typically the talc is blocky, white to green, grades into the
wallrock, and contains pods of chert.
WORKINGS: Workings consist of seven open and seven caved adits, five benches,
and several small pits. Most of the adits are short; total length is about
I
~,
f
500 ft. The benches total 1,500 ft.
SAMPLING: Analyses of 47 samples indicate that four lenses (fig. 11, nos.
1-4) along two zones contain a mixture of steatite and non-steatite talc.
..
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: The four lenses average about 3.5 ft thick, total about
2,200 ft in length; they are estimated to contain about 250,000 tons of -
marginal talc reserves.
CONCLUSIONS: Additional talc resources would probably be deliniated by
trenching and drilling. The large talc lenses may be minable, if markets are
-
developed for this type talc; and prices on the order of $48/ton for
unprocessed talc and $83/ton for processed talc, could be obtained. -
-
50 -
NAME: Bonham (White Mountain) Talc Mine
OWNERS: Virginia B. Troeger, Encino, CA; and Benjamin J. Bonham,
Los Angeles, CA
0060270237
LOCATION: SEe 1/4 Sec. 35, T. 15 S., R. 38 E~; and NW. 1/4 Sec. 1, and NE.
1/4 Sec. 2, T. 16 S., R. 38 E.; Lat. N. 360 35' 02", Long. W. 117 0 48'
17"; near the head of Bonham Canyon. The mine is beside the Bonham Canyon
road, about 2.5 miles from San Lucas Canyon. The part north of the road is
inside tne WSA; the Bureau's investigations concentrated there.
HISTORY: Page (1951, p. 23) reported that the deposit was known to Indians
who sold talc to the Cerro Gordo Mine in the 1870's for use as a refractory in
smelting. The deposit was claimed by Roy C. Troeger in 1914. It was leased
and mined in conjunction with the Florence Talc Mine from the 1930's until the
present (1984). The mine is covered by the Cerro Gordo Soapstone claims
located in 1914,1941, and 1943. Claims 1-3 are patented and claims 4-7
unpatented •
.. PRODUCTION: Prior to 1951,20,000 to 25,000 tons of talc were shipped (Page,
1951, p. 23; Norman and Stewart, 1951, p. 121). An additional 13,000 tons are
estimated to have been produced sporadically Detween the 1950's and the
... present (1984). The talc was shipped directly or processed prior to shipment
in a mill located in Keeler, CA. The mill closed in the 1960's.
.. GEOLOGY: Three talc lenses are in flinty, dolomitic limestone at the

intersections between northwest-trending, northeast-dipping, bedding-plane
fractures and northwest-trending, steeply dipping fault zones (fig. 12). Lens
... No. 3 is mined-out. The talc lenses are as thick as 5.5 ft and total 700 ft
in length. The talc is black to green, blocky, grades into the wall rock, and
contains pods of hard, siliceous-calcareous rock. About 0.1 mile north are
granitic intrusions .
... WORKINGS: Two benches that total 400 ft; six adits, all but one caved, Dut
estimated to total about 250 ft; and a number of small pits and cuts •
...
SAMPLING: The analyses of 25 samples indicate the presence of a mixture of
steatite and non-steatite talc.
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: About 32,000 tons of marginal talc reserves remain in two
lenses that total 750 ft in length and average about 2.4 ft thick.
52
CONCLUSIONS: Additional talc resources would probably be disclosed by
trenching and drilling. The lenses identified are large, good grade, and may
be minable, however, markets would need to be developed. Based on typical
mining costs, a price on the order of $48/ton for unprocessed and $83/ton for
processed talc would be required for profitable mining.
...
...
..
..
..
..
...
...
53
I I I I
EXPLANATION
--.173
::;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:
Wilderness Study Area boundary
o
Dolomitic limestone
7180
50.1- __
Talc zone~ showing dip,

dashed wnere Inferred
-=--
--. .1.7.Q. I
Fault, showing dip and relative movement,
dashed where Inferred
>->+-
Adit; caved adit
~
Bench
>--<
Trench
X .fJ~
Open cut or pit
\\11/
Dump
/' g#
Lense number
o 200 FEET
=~~
Contour interval 100 feet
FIGURE 12. - Bonham (White Mountain) Talc Mine

NAME: Doris Dee Talc Mine
OWNERS: Robert Wilson and Barry Dalton, Mariposa, CA
0060270684
LOCATION: NW. 1/4 Sec. 14, T. 13 S., R. 37 E.; Lat. N. 36 0 49 11", Long.
1
W. 1170 55 23"; on the north boundary of the WSA; 1.2 miles south of Willow
1
Creek Camp.
HISTORY: The deposit was located in the 1940 s and worked in the 1960 s.
l 1
The
deposit was relocated in 1982.
...
PRODUCTION: About 320 tons of talc were produced in 1960 and 1961.
GEOLOGY: The talc was produced from three lenses (fig. 13) along two
northwest-trending fault zones that dip 70 0 -750 SW. and transect massive
..
dolomitic marble. The lenses average about 30 ft thick and have a total
length of about 270 ft. The talc in the lenses is white to green, blocky to
fine grained, grades into the wall rock, and contains pods of hard,
siliceous-calcareous rock. .
..
WORKINGS AND FACILITIES: The production was from three adits totaling about
380 ft, and an 80-ft cut. The talc was moved to an ore bin by a slusher and a
wire1ine tram.
SAMPLING: Analyses of 19 samples established that the talc is.a mixture of
steatite and non-steatite grade.
..
RESOURCE ESTIMATE: It is estimated that about 20,000 tons of marginal talc
reserves remain in the lenses.
CONCLUSIONS: More talc resources would probably be disclosed by trenching and
drilling. If mined in conjunction with the nearby Willow Creek Camp and
Snowflake deposits, the lenses at the Doris Dee may be minable at prices on
the order of $48/ton for unprocessed and $83/ton for processed talc. Markets
would need to be developed. ..
55
...
I I I I I f
Lone Pine, CA
92 miles
~/ EXPLANATION
CJ
Dolomitic marble
~..t
Talc zone, showing dip,
Fault zone, showing dip, dashed where approximated
4~
~-
46 "~
~
V I haft Strike and-dip of beds
--- ~-~,......-"" :-- --< -t<

Adit, caved adit;
underground workings are dashed
)(
Prospect pit
~
Bench
\\ 1//
o 100 200 FEET Dump
-------
Foot Trail
Contour interval 100 feet
/1
Lense number
FIGURE 13. - Doris Dee Talc Mine

Other Mineral Occurrences
The extensive erosion of the gold-bearing veins in the WSA could have
resulted in gold placers in the bottoms of the crosscutting canyons. However,
the only placer claims known in the WSA are on the small alluvium deposits
(320,000 yd 3 ) in upper Beveridge Canyon. There is no record of placer gold
production from these deposits or from the smaller alluvium deposits along the
other canyons in the WSA. Alluvium samples from Beveridge Canyon contained
...
minor amounts of gold; too low grade to be classified resources~ Of the 10
samples containing gold, the best four had $0.07 to $0.19/yd 3 gold (at a
gold price of $425/oz). None of the alluvium samples from the other canyons
contained gold. The alluvium deposits are not viable sources of sand and
gravel because they are small and contain a high percentage of clay. Larger
and better deposits of sand and gravel are located closer to markets.
Large occurrences of limestone, dolomite, and other stone are also present
in the WSA. However, developed stone sources, located in OWens Valley, are
closer to markets.
Known geothermal and sodium resource areas are in Saline Valley, in a graben
(down-dropped fault bounded block) separated from the WSA by a fault zone. ...
There is no evidence that the geothermal or sodium resources cross the fault
zone into the WSA, nor is there evidence of any other energy resources in the
WSA.
ECONOMIC APPRAISAL
Identified in the Inyo Mountains Wilderness Study Area are five gold, three
..
silver, and four talc deposits that may be minable. Mining-milling systems
were designed and their capital and operating costs estimated to determine
minabi1ity of these deposits. The designing and estimating were done in 1984
by Bureau engineers using the STRAMM Engineers, Inc. (1978) cost estimation
..
system.
..
It was assumed that the five gold mines would be developed with a
consolidated plan utilizing a single mill; the three silver mines would feed
another mill; and the four talc mines would be operated under a consolidated
plan. The cost of producing each of the three commodities (gold, silver, and
talc) would be shared by each mine in the respective group. Mining and
..
milling the deposits separately would result in much greater unit costs, .
mainly because of road building, power, and mill costs. It was also assumed
that the character of the deposits will not change significantly with depth,
..
and that the ores are not refractory and will yield 90~ of the contained
values. Metallurgical testing and additional pre-mining exploration
(drilling, trenching, etc.) is necessary to determine if these assumptions are
..
correct.
Following for each deposit type are descriptions of past mining and milling
practices; and descriptions of the systems designed for this report, and the
estimated costs.
...
57
...
Gold in Veins
Most gold mining in the Beveridge District was done by crude hand
methods. Burchard (1883, p. 51) described the early mining as follows:
liThe Mexican system of mining, crude and simple and working for
immediate results has done nothing to settle the great question
as to the extent and permanence of these deposits~.. In several
canyons and along streams of water they have erected a number of
rude arrastras; with which they occasionally and spasmodically
reduce the richest ore they crevice from the paystreaks of adjoining
ledges, and the fact that they frequently have large clean-ups by
so rude a process indicates a marvelous richness of ore~"
When the richest, free-milling ore was depleted, mining stopped,
leaving the veins that required sophisticated higher cost mining and
milling methods. The selective mining was necessary because of the lack
of means to transport large quantities of ore and equipment. In the
early days tnis problem was partially solved by use of burros and the
construction of burro trails. This solution, however, soon became
inadequate because it paid to transport only the highest grade ore (more
than 6 oz gold/ton), and this type of ore soon ran out. Additionally,
only small milling equipment could be brought into the district;
consequently, a few small, inefficient mills were built to process tne
- ore. The chief recovery method used at these mills was amalgamation:
about 50~ of the gold was saved. Roads to provide better transporation
were never built. At present the best means of transportation is by
- helicopter, which is limited to small loads and is too expensive to
support a mining operation.
Five gold-bearing vein deposits are marginally economic; the Keynote
- Mine (fig. 2, no. 25), Bighorn Mine area (no. 61), Tay10r-McElvoy Mine
area (no. 13), Beveridge Mine (no. 48), and Gavalan Mine area (no. 59)
are estimated to total about 4.4 million tons of vein material averaging
- 0.24 oz gold and 0.74 oz silver/ton. Mining them would-require the
construction of an access road and the installation of mining and milling
equi pment.
- A road would be needed to connect all the significant gold deposits to
a central mill. The construction of this road would entail upgrading 10
miles of jeep road from Highway 190 at Swansea to Burgess Well, and
building about 32.5 miles of new road from the well to the mines and mill
(fig. 14). A graveled road 18 ft wide, witn grades no greater than 8~.
would be the minimum acceptable.
58
BIg Pi.... CA
40mllea
EXPLANATION
~~$:::~*~$!::::::::~
Study area boundary
Hi&hways and improved roads
-----
Best ro';;i; ~r;;.; ;;tine road
~
Sianificanl mines and prospects
•
Millslle
-
CallforM Hwy 1110
..
-
34 mil.
..
..
-
-
lonepl .... CA
8mU.
" "
Callfami. Hwy 1110
26 milea
-
o.L._---JL...-_~.
2 MILES -
"
SoU... Volley Roed
23 miles
FIGURE 14. - Locations of gold, silver, and talc deposits with

Gold production costs would be determined by tne factors and
assumptions listed below:
Vein thickness ••••••••••••••••••••••• As much as 8.5 ft, averaging

about 2.0 ft
D1p •••••••••••••••••••••••• ~ ••••••••• Gentle. a few are steep
Wallrock ••••••••••••••••••••• ~ ••••••• Stable, some rock
bolting reQuired
Minimum mining width ••••••••• ~ ••••••• 4 ft
Tons of ore and waste mined ••••••••• ~8.6 million
Tons of ore sent too the mill •••••••• S.6 million
Tons of ore-waste mined/day •••••••••• 860
Mining days/year ••••••••••••••••••••• 250
Mine/mill life ••••••••••••••••••••••• 40 years
...
Minimizing mixing (dilution) of gold ore and wall rock caused by the 4
... ft minimum mining width necessitates a mining method affording the best
separation. For the WSA deposits, this would be accomplished in the
gently dipping veins by room-and-pillar methods 10/, and in the steeply
.. dipping veins by shrinkage stoping 11/. Ore wouTa be mined
simultaneously at each of the five mnnes, and hauled to the central mill
for processing •
...
...
...
107 Room-and-pi11ar methods: the ore is mined in rooms separated by
narrow ribs or pillars. The ribs or pillars are mined last (Thrush and
Bureau of Mines Staff, 1968. p. 941).
11/ Shrinkage stoping: the are is mined in successive slices, working
upward. After each slice is blasted down enough are is drawn off from
below to provide a working space between the top of the pile of broken
are and the back of the stope (Thrush and Bureau of Mines Staff, 1968, p.
1006).
60
The central gol d mill shou1 d be buil t in the WSA because, hauli ng the
ore to a mill located outside the WSA would be too costly. However, in
the WSA there are only a few sites where water is available. Sketchy
water flow data suggest that supplies available at any single site would
limit milling to about 400 tons/d, 350 days/year. Even at this capacity,
over 60s of the water would be recycled. The sites where water is
available are listed below; the best millsites are underlined:
Beveridge Canyon Prospect (fig. 2, no. 55)
Beveridge Mine (no. 48)
Cerro Gordo Spring Mf11sfte (no. 80)
Cove S~ring Arrastre (no. 52)
Craig anyon Mill (no. 71)
Gold Bug Mine (no. 14)
Hunter Arrastres (no. 64)
Joy and Vega Prospect (no. 67)
Keys tone Mill site (no. 30)
Pat Keyes Arrastras (no. 8)
Ta\10r-McE1voy Mine area (no. 13)
-
Tr 0 Millsite (no. 42).
The best site for a gold mill is the one near Cove Spring Arrastre. It
-
has adequate water, is centrally located, and has the most room for
milling facilities.
-
The milled ore would be mostly (79~) quartz that contains
fine-to-coarse, discrete gold particles and gold particles associated
with chalcopyrite and pyrite and sparse galena and sphalerite. The other
(2l~) of the mill feed would be quartz monzonite or quartz diorite wall
..
rock resulting from dilution during mining of the narrow veins. Testing
to determine gold recovery was beyond the scope of this report. The only
known recovery tests on WSA gold ore were cyanide leach tests of the
Keynote Mine dump material by the owners. The material tested consisted
of OXide-stained, sulfide-bearing quartz that had been crushed to minus
1/4 inch size. Reportedly, two tests of this material yielded 94~ and -
97~ of the contained gold after being leached for 32 and 82 hours,
respectively. These tests suggest that this particular WSA ore is not
refractory and can be treated with standard milling methods and at least
9~ of the gold recovered.
..
For the Bureau's appraisal, milling costs were based on typical gold
mill designs. The mill would include crushing and grinding, and a
possible combination of gravity, flotation 12/ and vat cyanidization
-
methods to recover the gold. The gold and S11ver would be recovered as
bullion; the small erratic amounts of base metals would not be recovered. -
-
12/ Flotation: A method of mineral separation in which a froth created
Tn water by a variety of regants floats some finely crushed minerals,
whereas other minerals sink (Thrush and Bureau of Mines staff, 1968, p.
444) •
61 -
Listed below are the estimated production costs 11/.
Mi 111 on doll a rs
Roads, exploration, diesel generators,
and ore and bullion hau1ing~ •••••• ~ ••••••••• ~ •••••• 13
Mine operating costs •• ~.~~ •• ~ ••••••••••••••••• ~.~.320
Mill operating costs •••• ~ ••••••• ~ •••• ~ •• ~ ••••••••• lOO
Mine capital costs •••.••••.••••••.•• ~ .•••••••••••.. 11
Mill capital costs •.••••.•...•..••.......•..•...... 12
Total
Tne cost of mining and milling, the 4.4 million tons of gold
resources 14/ would be about $104/ton. The gold veins identified contain
about 1.1 Rn1lion oz of gold and 3.2 million oz of silver. It can be
expected that about 90~ of the gold (about 1 million oz) and 86~ of the
silver (2.8 million OZ) would be recovered in the milling operations.
These are worth about $457 million at a gold price of $425/oz and at a
silver price of $11.50/oz 15/. At this price, the cost to produce is
about equal to the value or-tne product. Therefore the deposits are
classified marginal reserves 16/. They might be classified reserves 17/
- at a gold price of about $60070z, assuming a 15~ rate of return on --
investment would be acceptable to investors. All the other gold-bearing
veins identified in the WSA are too small or low-grade to be classified
resources, and therefore are classified as occurrences ~/.
-
137 The costs do not include a return on investment.
- 14/ A resource is a concentration of naturally occurring solid, liquid, or
gas in sucn form and amount that economic extraction of a commodity is
- currently or potentially feasab1e. The term includes reserves. marginal
reserves, and subeconomic resources.
15/ Average metals prices for 1983. from Mineral Commodity Summaries, (U.S.
- ~reauof Mines, 1984. p. 60 and 140).
16/ A marginal reserve is expected to return at least the expenditures
necessary to produce it, but may not provide sufficient rate of return to
attract investment capital.
17/ A reserve is expected to return all expenditures necessary to produce it,
prU5a reasonable rate of return on investment.
18/ An occurrence is expected to return less tnan 20~ of expenditures
necessary to produce the commodity.
62
-
Silver in Veins
less than 1,000 tons of ore have been produced from silver-bearing
veins in the WSA. This production consisted of test shipments of
handsorted ore from the Burgess (fig. 2, no. 74), Big Silver (no. 69),
and Gold Standard Mines (no. 66). Most of the silver-bearing vein
material in the WSA is low grade and mineralogically complex, and would
need to be milled (concentrated) prior to shipment, or the silver
- '
recovered on site. Not enough ore was delineated in the past to justify
building a concentrator or silver recovery facility.
Three silver-bearing veins may be minable under improved economic
conditions. The Silver Harvest Prospect (fig. 2. no. 68). Big Silver
Mine (no. 69). and Morning Sun Prospect (no. 70) are estimated to total
about 280.000 tons of inferred subeconomic resources 19/ averaging 7 oz
-
silver/ton (fig. 14). Mining these veins would require the construction
of about 4.5 miles of access roads and the installation of mining and
milling equipment. Most economical would be to send the production of
all three mines to a single mill that would be sited near the Big Silver
Mine. Water would be piped from Hunter Canyon. listed below are the
factors affecting the silver mining costs: -
Vein thickness •••••••••••••••••••••••• As thick as 20.2 ft. averaging
about 2 ft.
-
01 p••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Steep
Wallrock •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Fractured and metamorphosed.

would require support -
Minimum mining width •••••••••••••••••• 4 ft
...
Tons of ore and waste mined ••••••••••• 396.000
Tons of ore sent to the mi11 •••••••••• 340.000 ...
Tons of ore-waste mined/day ••••••••••• 300
Mining days/year •.•••••••••••••••••••• 250 ...
Mine/mill 1ife ••••••••••.••••••••••••• 5 years
-
-
19/ A subeconomic resource is expected to return at least 20t but less than
lUOs of expenditures necessary to produce it.
63
Because of unstable wall rock. vein steepness. the need to maintain the 4-ft
minimum mining width, and the need to minimize dilution of ore with wa1lrock;
cut and fill stoping 20/ would be the most economical mining method.
At the mill the ore would be treated at a rate of about 230 tons/d. 350
days/year. The ore to be treated is mainly drusy-quartz and calcite with
complex sulfides of silver. and minor erratic amounts of lead. zinc. copper.
and arsenic; some gold is also present~ The ore would be crushed. ground. and
concentrated by flotation. The concentrate probably could not be sold because
of its arsenic content~ Most economical would be to leach it in vats with
cyanide to recover the silver as bullion. The small. erratic amounts of base
metals would not be recovered. Listed below are the estimated production
costs.
Million Dollars
Roads. exploration. diesel generators.
and ore and bullion hau1ing •••••••••••••••••••••• 1~4
Mine operating cost ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 18.0
Mill operating cost ••••.••.•••••••.•.•.••.•••.••. 8~4
Mine capital cost ................•........•...•.• 4.9
Mill capital cost •.•.....•..•••••...••........... 4.3
Total
- The cost to mine and mill the identified resource would be about
$130/ton. The 280.000 tons of silver-bearing vein material identified
- contain about 2 million oz silver. It can be expected that about 90%
(1.8 million oz) would be recovered. This silver is worth about $21
million at a price of $11.50/oz. At this price. the value of the product
- is about 57% of the cost of production. Therefore, the three silver vein
deposits are classified subeconomic resources. To be classified reserves
a silver price in excess of $27/oz is required, assuming a 15% rate of
- return on investment would be acceptable to investors. The other
silver-bearing veins identified in the study area are smaller, lower
grade. or poorly exposed and are classified occurrences.
- 20/ Cut and fill stoping: A stoping metnod in which ore is excavated by
successive flat or inclined slices, working upward from the level, as in
Shrinkage stoping. However, after each slice is blasted down, all broken
ore is removed, and the stope is filled with waste up to within a few
feet of the back before the next slice is taken out. just enough room
being left between the waste pile and the back of the stope to provide
working space (Thrush and Bureau of Mines Staff. 1968, p. 293).
64
Talc Deposits
Talc has been produced intermittently from mines in and near the WSA
from the 1930's until the present (1984). It has been mined mainly by
surface methods and stockpiled until hauled to buyers to be processed and
marketed locally (mainly in Southern, California). An average of about
200 tons/year have been produced from the 1960's to 1984. A talc
producer reported (1983) receiving $200/ton for his handsorted,
unprocessed, steatite talc delivered to a buyer located 200 miles south
of the deposits. This small production has satisfied local demand.
In the WSA are the Snowflake (fig. 2, no. 41), Doris Dee (no. 1),
Bonham (no. 82), and Florence (no. 83) Mines with an estimated 640,000
tons of talc. Mining these deposits would require the rebuilding of
about 4.6 miles of road to the Snowflake and the construction of surface
mining facilities at the Snowflake and underground mining facilities at
the Snowflake, Doris Dee, Bonham, and Florence Mines. Listed below are
factors that affect the talc mining costs:
...
Lense thickness ••••••••••••••••••••••• As thick as 20 ft,
...
averaging 5 ft
Lense d1p •...........•..•.••...••..... Steep ..
Wallrock •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Unstable. support
required ..
Minimum mining width •••••••••••••••••• 4 ft
Tons to be mined •••••••••••••••••••••• 640,000 ..
Tons of ore-waste mined/day ••••••••••• 250
Mining days/year •••••••••••••••••••••• 250
..
Mine l1fe .•••••.•...•..•.....•......•• l0 years
At the Snowflake Mine, 50,000 tons of talc could be mined by surface

methods. The talc remaining at the Snowflake. as well as that at the Doris
Dee. Bonham, and Florence Mines. would have to be mined by selective
underground methods that provide a good deal of ground support. Cut and fill
stoping would be most efficient.
The unprocessed talc could be trucked about 200 miles south to buyers in
southern California; or talc could be processed in a portable mill that would
at first be located near the water source at Beveridge Canyon. The mill could ...
be moved to the other talc deposits as needed.
65
...
Listed below are the estimated talc production costs:
Mill i on Do 11 a rs
Roads, exploration, diesel generators,
and talc hau1ing ••.....•••••••••••..••••••.•••••••• 1
Mine operating costs ••••.•...•.•..•••.•••••.•• ~ ••• 21
Mine capital costs •••••••••••• ~ ••• ~ •••••••••••••••• 5
Sub total ~
(cost to produce unprocessed talc)
Mill operating costs .............................. 16
Mill capital costs ••••..•••••••••••••••••••.•••••• 3
Total 10
(cost to produce processed talc)
The cost to produce 640,000 tons of unprocessed or processed talc would

be about $42/ton and $72/ton respectively. The price paid for talc in
California in late 1984 as reported in Engineering and Mining Journal
(November, 1984, p. 29) varied with the product sold. Between $44 and
$65/ton was paid for unprocessed cosmetic/steatite talc, and $69.90/ton
was paid for the most common processed talc (California talc ground to
minus 300 mesh size, upgraded, and packaged in 100 1b bags).
In 1984, the demand for processed talc in Southern California was
easily met by existing mines (located in the Death Valley National
- Monument) outside the WSA. It may not be feasible to build mill
facilities and produce processed talc from WSA deposits until Death
Valley mines are depleted.
- The WSA talc deposits are classified marginal reserves because of the
continuing small scale production of unprocessed talc, and because the
WSA deposits could become reserves of processed talc when the existing
- mines are exhausted. Tne prices paid for the unprocessed talc, and for
tne type of processed talc that would be produced from WSA deposits,
would have to exceed $48/ton and $83/ton respectively in order to result
- in a 15% rate of return on investment.
66
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER WORK
Further work that would better define the minability of WSA deposits would
include: 1) more detailed delineation of the deposits, 2) bulk sampling and
metallurgical testing, 3) water quantity and quality determination, and 4)
surveying of proposed routes for roads, 5) talc market analysis.
More detailed delineation of all the deposits (determinations of tonnages
and grades and mining methods) would require examinations in the presently
inaccessible areas, as well as additional sampling and some trenching and
drilling. Bulk sampling and beneficiation testing is needed to determine the
best recovery methods. The quantities of water available for mining and
milling, and its quality need to be determined. Needed are seasonal flow
tests of existing surface water sources, test wells for ground water sources, ...
chemical analyses, and the determination of water rights. Routes for the
roads need to be surveyed to better determine mileages and costs per mile.
Demand for talc and marketing trends need to be determined. ...
...
..
..
...
67
REFERENCES
Burchard, H. C., 1881, Production of gold and silver in the United States:
U.S. Treasury Department Report of the Director of the Mint, 443 p.
1882, Production of gold and silver in the United States: U.S.
--rFeasury Department Report of the Director of the Mint, 765 p.
1883, Production of gold and silver in the United States: U.S~
1885, Production of gold and silver in the United States: U.S.
Crawford~ J~ J., 1894, Inyo County, in Mines and mining products of
California: California State Mining Bureau Twelfth Report of the State
Mineralogist, pp. 135-141.
1896, Gold; Inyo County: California State Mining Bureau Thirteenth
~ort of the State Mineralogist, pp. 179-185.
Engineering and Mining Journal, 1984, E & MJ Markets: McGraw-Hill,
vol. 185, no. 11, pp. 25-31.
Hall, Inyo Mountains mining prospects: in Los Angeles Mining Review, May
3rd, 1903, p. 7.
Heikes, V. C., 1928, Gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in California:
U.S. Bureau of Mines Mineral Resources of the United States pt. 1,
pp. 285-309.
- Knopf, Adolph, and Kirk, Edwin, 1918, A geologic reconnaissance of tne

Inyo Range and the eastern slope of the southern Sierra Nevada,
California: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 110, 130 p.
- Leech, E. 0., 1890, Production of gold and silver in the United States:
U.S. Treasury Department Report of the Director of the Mint, 296 p.
- Merriam, C. W., 1963, Geology of the Cerro Gordo mining district, Inyo
County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 408, 83
p.
- Norman, L. A. and Stewart, R. M., 1951, Mi nes and mi nera 1 resources of
Inyo County: California Journal of Mines and Geology, v. 47, no. 1,
pp. 17-223.
Page, B. M., 1951, Talc deposits of steatite grade, Inyo County,
California: California Division of Mines Special Report 8. 35 p.
Ross, D. C., 1967, Generalized geologic map of tne Inyo Mountains Region,
California: U.S. Geological Survey Map 1-506, scale 1:125,000.
68
-
REFERENCES - continued
STRAMM Engineers, Inc, 1978, Capital and operating cost estimating system
handbook (contract J0265026): U.S. Bureau of Mines Open File Report
10-78, 374 p.
Thrush, P. W., and Bureau of Mines Staff, 1968, A dictionary of mining,
mineral, and related terms: U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1269 p.
Tucker, W. B., 1926, Inyo County, in Mining in California: California
State Mining Bureau 22 nd Reporr-of the State Mineralogist, pp.
453-539. -
, 1934, Preliminary report on the Big Horn Mine: an unpublished
---re---port written to obtain a Reconstruction Finance Corporation Loan,
12 p.; available upon request from Close, T. J., Bureau of Mines,
Spokane, Washington.
Tucker, W. B., and Sampson, R. J., 1938, Mineral resources of Inyo County:
-
California Journal of Mines and Geology, v. 34, no. 4, pp. 368-500.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 1980, Analysis of mineral potential, Inyo
-
Mountains GEM Resource Area: Bureau of Land Management unpublished
report, 57 p.
U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1984, Mineral Commodity Summaries: 183 p.
-
U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey, 1980, Principals of a
resource/reserve classification for minerals: U.S. Geological
Survey Circular 831, 5 p.
Waring, C.A., and Huguenin, E., 1919, Inyo County, in Mines and mineral
..
resources of portions of California: California ~te Mining
Bureau 15 th Report of the State Mineralogist, pp. 29-134.
-
-
..
-
-
69
APPENDIX
Listed in alphabetical order on Table A are summary descriptions for
each of the 84 mines, mills, and prospects examined. Their locations are
shown on figure 2•
...
...
...
...
70
Table A. - Summary descriptions of mines, mills, and prospects in and adjacent to
the Inyo Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (BLM No. CDCA-122)
(Most significant deposits are underlined; asterisk (*) indicates outside the WSA)
Hap no. Workings and

Name (fig. 2) Summary production Resource/sample data
American 84 A 1.5- to 4.2-ft-thick vein of leached and oxidized Two adits totaling 140 ft, and About 390,000 tons of vein material
Prospect quartz and calcite is in limestone and argillite. six prospect pits. averaging 0.07 oz/ton Silver, O.2~
The vein contains galena, sphalerite, limonite, copper, 0.8' lead, and 0.3' zinc are
and malachite. It strikes N. 5· E., dips 50· to inferred, based on 25 chip samples.
77· NW., and can be traced for 1,700 ft. The occurrence is too low grade to be
classified a resource. However,
resources may occur at depth, and
additional work is warranted.
American Flag 76 Three vein segments of drusy quartz strike N. 50· There are six underground workings About 790 tons averaging 0.49 oz/ton
Hine to 70· W. and dip IS· to 45· SW. The veins cut totaling 720 ft, three benches gold, 1.31 oz/ton silver and 1.4' copper
syenltic and granitiC rocks and are traceable totaling 100 ft, and several are inferred in the three vein segments,
for 500 ft along strike and 400 ft downdip. small pits. Production is based on 27 samples. These vein
The veins are 0.4 to 5.0 ft thick, as long as estimated to have been 400 tons segments average 1.1 ft thiCk.
116 ft and contain limonite, malachite, of ore containing at least 200 The veins identified are too small
.... pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, oz of gold and SOD oz of silver. to be considered resources. However,
and gold. Host ore was treated at the additional vein material is probable
Craig Canyon mill 3 miles north and gold-sllver-copper resources are
of the mine. likely.
Auguste Hi ne IH A fracture zone with irregular veins follows Inside the WSA there are two The vein in the WSA is inferred to
limestone beds intruded by quartz monzonite small pits. Outside are three contain 53,000 tons of material
and andesitic dikes. The zone strikes N. 10· underground workings totaling averaging 0.02 oz/ton gold and 0.1'
to 30· W. and dips 10· to 30· SW. Host veins 1,700 ft, and several small copper, based on three samples. It
(to the south of the WSA) are 0.2 to 3.0 ft prospect pits. Production is an occurrence too small and low
thick, as long as 1,030 ft, and composed of from the underground workings grade to be classified a resource.
quartz-calcite with limonite- and malachite- outside the WSA is estimated However, in the WSA only the surface
stained tetrahedrite, galena, and sphalerite. to have been 1,000 tons of is accessible and chip samples
In the WSA, a 3-ft-thick limonitic quartz vein ore containing 20,000 oz of contained gold and copper; a dump
Is exposed for 650 ft. silver and 10 tons of lead. sample had Silver, lead, and zinc.
Identified In extensive workings
outside and downdip from the WSA, are
about 7H,000 tons that average about
0.07 oz/ton gold, 12.7 oz/ton silver,
1.3' copper, 1.0' lead, and 0.8' zinc.
Similar material may occur at depth in
the WSA.
Badwater 2 The claim, located in 1975, is the millsite for the A cabin and a few pieces of None.
Spineworks Mano Oel Hombre Segundo Mine and New Argonaut equipment.
millsite Prospect.
I I I I I I t
I I I I I I
I I I I
Table A. - Summary descriptions of mines, mills, and prospects in and adjacent to the Inyo
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (BLM No. CDCA-122)--Continued
Map no. Workings and

Name (fi g. 2) Summary ______ productio"-__ Resource/sample data
Beyeridge Canyon 55 Two yeins in quartz monzonite, and a placer, are Lode workings include fiYe adits A 400-ft-long, 2.6 ft-thick part of the
MN Prospect present. The prinCipal Yein, mainly gouge and totaling 200 ft, and five small principal vein contains 17,000 tons
quartz with limonite, malachite, and pyrite, is pits. A few pits and trenches of vein material inferred to average
1,700 ft long and 0.3 to l.O ft thick, strikes comprise the placer workings. 0.04 oz/ton gold, based on three chip
N. 20° to 80° E., and dips 10° to 35° NW. The samples. This is too small and low
other yein is mainly quartz with limonitic grade to be considered a resource.
arsenopyrite and pyrite, is 3 to 10 ft thick and Chip samples taken by the owner averaged
250 ft long, strikes N. 15° to 20° W., and dips 0.6 oz/ton gold. Samples from the
75° to 85° NE. The placer is composed of angular, second vein contained no significant
partially-indurated alluyium in a gulch 4,400 ft metal values. Gold concentrations in
long. the placer, as much as 4.5 x 10- 4
oz/ydl , are too low grade and irregular
to warrant resource estimation. The
identified veins and placer are too
low grade to be considered resources.
However, additional vein material
-....I containing gold resources is probable.
N
Beveridge Canyon 51 A 0.5- to 3.5-ft-thick drusy quartz vein in quartz Six adits totaling 650 ft, a 180- Of the 28 chip samples taken, 12
MN No. 12 Mi ne monzonite strikes N. lOo to 50° W•• dips 15° to ft bench. an ore bin. and a contained gold. Two had more than
35° NE., and is 1,600 ft long. The vein contains wireline tram to Laskey's mill. 0.1 oz/ton. The parts of the vein
pyrite, malachite. chalcopyrite, and gold. O.l mile away. Production with gold are too scattered to estimate
estimate totals about 1.000 size and grade. Gold resources may be
tons of ore containing at present.
least 200 oz of gold.
None.
Beverid~ Canlon 58 The claim was located after completion of the None.
"N No. 6 Bureau's field work. The owner reports a
Prospect sulfide-bearing quartz Yein about 1.0 ft thick
that trends northwest and dips 15° to 20° W. is
in quartz monzonite.
Beyeridge Canlon 56 The claim was located after completion of the None. The owner reports an assay of 1.46 ozl
"" No. 28 Bureau's field work. The claimant reports ton gold.
Prospect a 1.5-ft-thick quartz vein along the northwest
trending, Yertical contact zone between a dike
and metasedimentary rock.
Beyeridge Mine 48 A 1- to 8-ft-thick drusy quartz yein in quartz Along the vein are 11 underground About 200,UOO tons of inferred resources
monzonite. with an ayerage thickness of 2.1 ft. workings totaling 700 ft. four average O.l oz/ton gold and 1.1 oz/ton
strikes N. 30° E., dips 35° NW., and is 1,500 ft benches totaling 400 ft. several silver. based on 33 chip samples. The
long. The vein contains pyrite, limonite, small pits. a wireline tram. and deposit is classified a marginal
malachite, chalcopyrite, and gold. a Huntington mill. Estimated reserve, assuming it is mined in
production is 1.000 tons of ore conjunction with other deposits in
containing at least 300 oz of the WSA and can be treated using
gold and 1.000 oz of silver. typical mining and milling methods.
Additional vein material is likely.
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (BUM No. CDCA-122)--Continued

Name (fiy. 2) Summary ____ H __ ~~p,.Q<llI<:tio_n_~ Resource/sample data
Bighorn Mine 61 Three subparallel, drusy quartz veins in quartz In an area that measures 2,000 ft There are 1.2 million tons of inferred
area monzonite are 0.1 to 8.5 ft thick, as long as by 6,000 ft are 15 underground resources in the three subparallel veins
3,500 ft, strike N. 80° E. and dip 25° to 85° NW. workings, eight benches, many averaying 0.39 oz/ton gold, 2.4 oz/ton
The veins total about 4,000 ft in length and small pits, a water line, and a silver, and 0.4~ copper, based on 77
average 2.4 ft thick. A northwest-trending, small, dismantled cyanide mill. chip samples. The deposit is
gently dipping, poorly exposed vein crosscuts The principal mill (Hunter classified a marginal reserve, assuming
the three subparallel veins. The copper-stained Arrastras) is 1.5 miles south. it is mined in conjunction with other
veins have limonite, hematite boxwork, pyrite, The underground workings total deposits in the WSA and can be treated
chalcopyrite, galena, and gold. 3,000 ft and the benches 2,000 using typical mining and milling
ft. Tucker (1926, p. 466) methods. Additional vein material
reported that $40,000 in gold, and resources are probable.
with some silver, copper, and
lead, was produced. About 4,000
tons of ore containing at least
1,600 oz of gold and 9,600 oz
of silver are estimated to have
been mined.
5i 9 Si her Mi ne 69 A 0.7- to 12.0-ft-thick vein trends east to Six adits totaling 2,800 ft, and About 57,000 tons of vein material
northeast, dips steeply, and is broken by three wireline trams are along average 9.5 ol/ton silver, based on
faults and dikes into segments which total 700 ft the vein segments. It is 23 chip samples. The deposit could be
long and average 2.8 ft thick. The vein is mainly estimated that BOO tons of ore mined in conjunction with the Horning
leached and oxidized breccia, gouge, and quartz containing at least 7,600 oz Sun and Silver Harvest deposits at a
with limonite, malachite, tetrahedrite, and of silver have been mined. cost equal to about 1.8 times the
sphalerite. It is in the contact zone between value of production. It, therefore,
quartz monzonite and calcareous metasediments. is classified a subeconomic resource.
It is probable that additional silver
vein resources are present.
Bluebi rd 28 A 2.2- to 3.0-ft-thick vein in quartz monzonite Four adits totaling 230 ft, and The vein is inferred to contain 67,000
Prospect strikes N. 65° to 75° W., dips 30° to 65° SW., one prospect pit. tons of material averaging 0.02 ol/ton
averages 2.7 ft thick, and is 770 ft long. The gold, based on three chip samples. It
vein is composed of drusy quartz with pyrite is an occurrence too low grade to be
and malachite. classified a resource. Grab samples
contained as much as 0.234 ol/ton gold
and 3.5~ copper. Gold resources
may be present at depth.
Blueledge Mine 17 A horizontal, drusy quartz vein 1.2 ft thick and On the vein are two adits totaling The vein is inferred to contain 32U
80 ft long in quartz monzonite contains limonite, 90 ft, and a 95-ft bench. It is tons of material averaging 0.43 oz/ton
malachite, and pyrite. estimated that 100 tons of ore gold and 0.21 oz/ton silver, based on
containing at least 40 oz of five chip samples. This occurrence is
gold and 20 oz of silver were too small to be classified a resource.
mined. Additional vein material is probable,
and gold-silver resources are likely.
I I I I I I I I I
I I I I I

Bonham Whi te 82 The portion of the deposit inside the WSA consists Over a distance of 1,600 ft Based on 25 samples, about 32,OUO tons of
MountaIn alc of talc lenses 1.0 to 5.0 ft thick and as long as are two benches totaling 400 ft, talc are inferred in two lenses. These
Mine 50U ft along a 400- to 600-ft-thick zone of bedding one open and four caved adits have a total length of 750 ft and an
plane fractures in dolomitic limestone. The best totaling 250 ft and a number average thickness of 2.4 ft. This
talc occurs where the fractures are crosscut by of small pits and trenches. deposit could be mined in conjunction
northwest trending fault zones. About 35,000 tons of steatite- with nearby deposits at a cost that is
grade talc were produced about equal to the value of production.
between the 1930's and 19B4. The depOSits can thus be claSSified
marginal reserves. Additional talc
resources are likely.
Burgess Mine 74 Poorly exposed, irregular, and randomly oriented In an area that measures 6,400 A total of 115 samples were taken. The
~
quartz veins and skarn zones are in limestone by 6.200 ft are 64 pits, 12 grab samples contained as much as 0.64
and volcanic rocks, which have been metamorphosed trenches, and 28 underground oz/ton gold, 16.9 oz/ton silver, 1.28~
by the intrusion of quartz monzonite and andesitic workings totaling about 4,000 copper, 4.1' lead, and 3.1' zinc. Chip
dikes. The veins are composed of quartz and ft. In 1910, 46 tons of ore samples with significant values were
calcite with limonite, manganese oxide, and containing 22 oz of gold and from widely scattered, isolated
sparse galena, tetrahedrite, sphalerite, 11 oz of silver were shipped. occurrences. Of the 74 Chip samples
cerussite, malachite, smithsonite, and azurite. taken, 20 had significant gold, 61
The skarn zones are composed of garnet. epidote. silver, 43 copper, 40 lead, and 41
actinolite, diopside, and sparse sphalerite. zinc. The prinCipal commodity in most
The sKarns are leached and oxidized and occur chip samples was silver. Silver-lead-
mainly in volcanic rocks, although they may zinc-gold resources may be present.
be found in the limestone.
*Cerro Gordo 80 The spring is the only year-round source of water Equipment includes a dismantled Water source for mine development.
Spring Millsite for many miles. In the 1870's. it was developed pump, steam engine, water tanks,
and FW Prospect to supply water to Cerro Gordo and in the 1930's and pipeline.
to supply water to the talc mining camp in Bonham
Canyon. The FW Lode Claims were located over the
spring in 1982.
Chambers Mi ne 33 Two veins in quartz monzonite strike N. 30° to 40° Over a distance of 1,200 ft are Inferred in three vein segments totaling
W. and dip 20° to 3Uo SW. The better exposed vein 12 pits and trenches, four 530 ft in length and averaging 0.8 ft
is 0.1 to 3.0 ft thick, 1,000 ft long. and is benches totaling 260 ft, five thick are 4,000 tons of material
composed of drusy quartz with malachite. limonite. adits totaling 1,000 ft, and averaging 0.16 oz/ton gold and 0.29
pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. The second vein, an arrastre. It is estimated oz/ton silver, based on nine chip
200 ft below, is indicated by dump material to be that 300 tons of ore with at samples. The vein segments are too
of similar composition. least 48 oz of gold and 87 oz small and low grade to be considered
of silver were mined. resources. However, subsurface
exploration would probably disclose
gold-Silver resources.
Cinnamon Mi ne 24 A 1.9-ft-thick, 40-ft-long vein of gouge, and quartz, A partially caved adit (with The vein is inferred to contain 12U
with pyrite and malaChite is in diorite. The vein stope) is open for 65 ft. It tons of material averaging 0.26 ozl
strikes east and dips 10° to 35° S. is estimated that 60 tons of ton gold and 0.87 oz/ton silver, based
ore containing at least 16 oz on two chip samples. It is an
of gold and 50 oz of silver occurrence too small and low grade to
were mined. be considered a resource. Gold-
silver resources may be present at
depth.
Table A. - Summary descriptions of mines. mills. and prospects in and adjacent to the Inyo

Name (fig. 2) Summary __ ~ __~_~ __ ~1lroduction_ Resource/sample data
Cougar Mine 7 The principal vein consists of drusy quartz in Along the principal vein are four The principal vein contains about 1.100
quartz monzonite. The vein strikes N. 30° to 60° adits totaling 325 ft. and a 90 tons of material averaying 0.44 oz/ton
W•• dips 15° to 25° SW. and contains limonite, ft bench. A prospect pit is on gold, based on 14 chip samples. The
malachite. and pyrite. The vein averages 0.3 ft the second vein. It is estimated vein is too narrow to be a resource;
thick and Is exposed intermittently for 300 ft. that 50 tons of ore containing however, additional gold-bearing veins
A parallel vein of similar composition may occur at least 20 oz of gold were mined. may occur.
about 100 ft above the principal vein.
Cove Spring 52 The arrastre was bui It il1 the 1870's to crush ore A 10-ft-dlameter arrastre with a A likely water source.
Arrastre from nearby mines. Tailings have washed down capacity of about 1 ton/d.
Beveridge Creek.
Craig Canyon 71 The mill was In built In the 1880's to process ore A partially dismantled stamp mill About 400 tons of tailings contain
Mill from the American Flag Mine. powered by a pelton wheel. The 0.17 oz/ton gold, 2.2 oz/ton silver.
four l00-lb stamps had the and 2.7' copper. The tailings dump
capacity to crush 5 tons of is too small to be considered a
ore/d. resource. The site is a likely water
source.
-..J
(]'I
Crys ta 1 Hi ne 19 A drusy quartz vein with pyrite strikes N. 80° W. A 40-ft adlt, and 30-ft bench with The vein is inferred to contain 340 tons
and dips 30° to 40° SW. in quartz monzonite. The an underhand stope. An estimated of material averaging 0.18 oz/ton gold.
vein Is 1 ft thick and 80 ft long. 30 tons of ore containing at based on five chip samples. It is too
least 5 oz of gold were mined. small to be considered a resource.
However, subsurface work could disclose
gold resources.
Doris Dee Talc Three Irregular talc lenses that contain some hard Three adlts totaling 380 ft, an Based on 19 samples, about 20,000 tons
Mine siliceous-calcareous pods, crop out along two 80-ft-long open cut, and a of talc ore Inferred that can be mined
northwest trending fault zones that transect holst and slusher. About 320 in conjunction with nearby depOSits at
dolomitic marble. The largest lens is 30 ft thick tons of talc were mined. a cost that Is about equal to the value
and 100 ft long. The three lenses total 240 ft in of the product. Thus. the Doris Dee
length and average 27.5 ft thick. deposit Is classified a marginal
reserve. Additional talc is likely
to occur at the mine.
Florence Ta lc 113 Four talc lenses occur along a 400- to 500-ft-wide Eleven adlts totaling 500 ft, Based on 47 samples, the lenses are
zone of fracturing which strikes N. 60° to 80° five benches totaling 1.500 ft. inferred to contain 250.000 tons of
~ W. and dips 15° to 30° HE In dolomitic limestone. and several small pits are marginal talc reserves that can be
The fracture zone Is crosscut by H. 10° to 20° W. scattered for 4.700 ft along the produced at a cost that is nearly
striking. 50° to 70° SW. dipping fault zones. The zone of fracturing. About 8.000 equal to the value of production.
lenses identified total 2.250 ft in length and tons of talc were shipped (Norman Additional resources would probably
average 3.3 ft thick. The largest talc bodies are and Stewart, 1951, p. 121). be disclosed by subsurface exploration.
where fractures and fault zones intersect. The
talc is gradational and contains pods of silicified
calcareous rock.
I I I I I
Table .A~ - Summary descriptions of mines, mills, and prospects in and adjacent to the Inyo

Name (fi9...21 Summary production _Resourc_e/sample data
Gava 1an Hi ne 59 Poorly exposed, irregular, quartz veins as thick Over a distance of 1,700 ft along The principal vein contains about 33,UUU
!!!! as 13 ft are along a zone of east-trending, steeply the zone are seven pits, and tons of inferred resources averaging
dipping fractures in quartz monzonite. The veins three adits totaling 150 ft. 0.42 oz/ton gold, based on nine chip
contain malachite and limonite boxwork after pyrite Crawford (1894, p. 137) reported samples. The deposit is classified
and galena. The prinCipal vein averages 2.9 ft that a vein 5 ft thick, 100 ft a marginal reserve, assuming it is
thick and is 520 ft lony. wide, and 200 ft long (8,000 tons mined in conjunction with other
of ore) had been mined. It is deposits in the WSA and can be treated
estimated that this ore contained using typical mining and milling
at least 3,400 oz of gold. methods.
Gold Bug Hine 14 A 0.5- to 3.5-ft-thick quartz vein with limonite, Three underground workings totaling The vein is inferred to contain about
malachite, ·pyrite, and chalcopyrite strikes N. 5° 100 ft, a 100-ft benCh, and three 3,000 tons of material averaging
to 25° W. and dips 20° to 50° SW. in monzonite. small pits. About 100 tons of ore 0.13 oz/ton gold, based on nine
The vein can be traced for 200 ft and averages containing at least 10 oz of gold chip samples. It is too small to
1.8 ft thick. The mine is near McElvoy Creek, a are estimated to have been mined. be considered a resource. Gold
likely source of water. resources would probably be disclosed
by subsurface exploration.
Gold Standard 66 A poorly exposed vein system occurs along the Along the vein system are several The vein system is estimated to contain
-...j
0'1 ~ northwest-trending, southwest-dipping, fractured small pits and open cuts, two 440,000 tons of material averaging 1.7
contact zone between quartz monzonite and benches totaling 150 ft, and four oz/ton silver, 0.01 oz/ton gold, and
argillaceous limestone. Veins are 0.2 to 4.0 ft adits totaling 500 ft. It is 0.28' copper, based on 11 chip samples.
thick and are mainly drusy quartz with limonite, estimated that 200 tons of ore It is too low grade to be considered a
galena, pyrite, and tetrahedrite. The principal were mined containing at least resource. Additional silver-, gold-,
vein averages 1.7 ft thick and is 2,500 ft long. 600 oz of gold, 12,000 oz of and copper-bearing material might be
silver, and 4,000 lb copper. disclosed by subsurface exploration.
Hacked Pi nyon 15 No mineralized structure is exposed. Dump material Over a distance of 100 ft along a A grab sample of quartz from the dumps
Prospect indicates a limonitic, drusy quartz vein in quartz bearing of N. 20° W. are some assayed 0.01 ozlton gold.
monzonite. small pits and two caved adits
estimated to total 90 ft.
Hi?hland Chief 31 A drusy quartz vein with limonite and pyrite is in There are two adits totaling 120 Two chip samples were taken. One
quartz monzonite. The vein strikes N. 70° W., ft, 180 ft apart. A pit lies assayed 0.02 oz/ton gold and the other
~ contained no significant metal values.
dips 60° HE., and is 0.7 to 3.0 It thick. between them.
Gold resources could occur at depth.
Hope Mine 9 Small metasomatic deposits occur in two dolomitic- At the west pendant are a 24-ft The vein exposure in the east pendant
marble roof pendants in quartz monzonite. In the adit and small pit. At the east is estimated to contain about 1UO
west pendant, a zone of malachite-bearing garnet pendant are a 2U-ft adit and a tons of material averaging 0.2 oz/ton
and pyroxene skarn is 1.7 ft thick and 20 ft long. 10-ft shaft. It is estimated gold, 1.3 oz/ton silver, 1.8' lead,
About 650 ft away, in the east pendant, is a 0.7- that 60 tons of ore containing and 2.9' zinc, based on two chip
to 1.3-ft-thick quartz vein. The vein strikes 10 oz of gold, 80 oz of silver, samples. The occurrence is too small
N. 30° W., dips 30° SW., averages 1.0 ft thick, 2,000 lb of lead, and 3,000 lb to be considered a resource.
is 50 ft long, and contains galena and smithsonite. of zinc were mined from the vein. Additional work would prObably
disclose little additional vein
material.

Name ((i!l._ll _______________ Sufl!l1a_ry____ _ _____ ~ production Resource/sample data
Horseshoe Mi ne 54 Gold-bearing veins occur along northwest-trending, Over a distance of 2,200 ft along About 81,000 tons of vein material
southwest-dipping fractures in quartz monzonite. the zone are 29 adits totaling average 0.08 oz/ton gold, based on
Vein exposures are as thick as 3.0 ft, as long as 1,200 ft, 11 benches totaling 67 chip samples. Sixty of the 67
80U ft, and are composed of oxidized, limonitic, 2,100 ft, a number of small pits chip samples were from across veins
copper-stained, drusy quartz with pyrite and and cuts, and a dismantled two- and had gold. Grab samples assayed
chalcopyrite. The veins occur in a zone that is stamp mill. Production is as much as 2.67 oz/ton gold, 4.6 oz/
500 ft wide. Eight vein exposures average 1.3 estimated to have totaled 2,000 ton silver, and 1.51~ copper. The
ft thick and have a total length of 2,600 ft. tons of ore containing at least mineral occurrences are too low grade
200 oz of gold. to be considered resources. Sampling
suggests higher grade vein material
and gold resources probably would be
disclosed by subsurface exploration.
Hunter Arrastres 64 These arrastres were built in 1877 and treated ore Three 12-ft-diameter arrastres, About 1,000 tons of tailings remain at
from the Bighorn Mine until the 1930's. They are driven by a 12-horsepower steam the site. A grab sample assayed 0.17
near Hunter Spring, a likely source of water. engine. All are partially oz/ton gold, 1.4 oz/ton silver, O.26~
dismantled. Five tons of ore copper, and 0.19~ lead. The amount
were treated per day. Tucker of tailings is too small and low grade
and Sampson (1938, p. 383) to be considered a resource.
reported that $8,000 to $10,000
in gold (about 640 oz) was
recovered.
Johny Mine 11 A 0.4-ft-thick quartz vein in quartz monzonite is A 75-ft bench with a 6-ft About 670 tons of vein material
exposed for 200 ft. The vein is malachite- and underhand stope, from which averaging 0.8 oz/ton gold are
limonite-stained, strikes northerly, and dips 25 0 100 tons of ore containing at inferred, which is too small to be
to 45 0 W. least 80 oz of gold are a resource. Three chip samples
estimated to have been mined. across the vein assayed 0.03, 1.70.
and 1.74 oz/ton gold. One sample
also had 1.8 oz/ton Silver.
Subsurface work would probably
disclose gold resources.
Joy and Vega 67 Poorly exposed, jumbled, 0.1- to 1.0-ft-thick Two adits totaling S5 ft, and Ten samples were taken. Grab'samples
Prospect quartz-calcite veins containin~ malachite, a number of pits and trenches of vein material from the dumps
pyrite, and chalcopyrite occur in a quartz are in a 1.S-acre area. About contained as much as 0.lY9 oz/ton
monzonite slump block. The claims are located 2,000 ft north is a dismantled gold, 1.4 oz/ton silver. and 0.24~
near a likely source of water. mill. copper. Six vein Chip samples had
minor gold, silver, and copper. Gold
resources may be present.
I I I I
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (BlM No. CDCA-122)--Continued

Name W~ 2L______~ __ ~__ Summary _________ . production Resource/sample data
Ke~note (Keynot) 25 Three nearly parallel veins, about 350 ft apart, The principal working has 8,000 ft The four veins contain about 2.5
~ and a subparallel vein are in quartz monzonite. of levels, sublevels, and raises. million tons of inferred resources
The four veins identified have lengths totaling In addition, there are another 27 averaging 0.17 oz/ton gold, based on
about 9,70U ft. The parallel veins are 0.3 to smaller underground workings 189 chip samples. A lOU,OOO-ton part
5.U ft thick, strike N. 40° to 70° W., and dip totaling about 2,100 ft, and of the vein located in the principal
25° to 55° SW. Near the surface they are numerous small pits and cuts. workings average 0.43 oz/ton gold,
primarily leached, drusy quartz with gold. A 250-ton/day cyanide mill is 0.56 oz/ton Silver, and 0.21' copper.
At depth gold is associated with chalcopyrite, near the prinCipal workings. The dump has about 47,000 tons of
pyrite, and galena. Most of the near surface laskey's stamp mill, where most material that average 0.21 oz/ton
veins have been mined and the workings backfilled. Keynote ore was processed, is gold and 0.53 oz/ton silver. The
The subparallel vein is 0.5 to 4.0 ft thick, 3 miles south. Production records deposit is claSSified a marginal
strikes N. 50° to 70° W., dips 25° to 35° SE., and working sizes indicate that reserve, assuming it is mined
and has sli9htly more galena. between 1878 and 1906 about in conjunction with other deposits
5,000 tons of handsorted, gold- in the WSA and can be treated using
bearing quartz were transported typical mining and milling methods.
to the mill where about 29,000 Additional vein material is likely.
oz of gold were recovered.
Keynot No. 30 26 No mineralized structure is exposed. Working Over a distance of 190 ft along Five grab samples contained 0.06 to
Prospect alignments and dump material indicate a 1.0-ft- the vein are a 100-ft bench and 0.802 oz/ton gold, as much as 0.7 oz/
thick vein strikes N. BOO W. and dips 55° SW. 90-ft caved adit. Eighty feet ton silver, and 0.39' copper.
in quartz monzonite. The vein is mainly drusy south is an arrastre. It is Subsurface exploration would probably
quartz with limonite, pyrite, malachite, estimated that 600 tons of ore disclose gold resources.
chalcopyrite, and gold. containing at least 200 oz
of gold were mined.
KeYs Mine 6 A 0.1- to 2.3-ft-thick vein strikes N. 30° to 50° W. Along the vein are 11 underground The vein is inferred to contain 18,OUU
and dips 15° to 65° NE. in quartz monzonite. It workings totaling 800 ft, tnree tons of material averaying 0.25 OZ/
is mainly leached, oxidized, drusy quartz with benches totaling 450 ft, and a ton gold and 0.61 oz/ton silver,
limonite, malachite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and number of small pits and open based on 27 chip samples.
galena. The 1.2-ft-thick vein crops out cuts. A small cyanide mill was Subsurface work could disclose a
intermittently for 1,200 ft along dip and 150 located near an adit portal. small amount of additional gold-
ft along strike on a ridgetop. The principal .ill (Pat Keyes silver vein-bearing material.
arrastras) is 1.5 miles south.
It is estimated that 5,000 tons
of ore containing at least 1,200
oz of gold and 3,OOU oz of silver
were mined.
Keystone Hi lis He 3U The mill was built in 1938 to treat ore from the A Blake crusher, a one-stamp A grab sample from a 150-lb pile of
Highland Chief Mine. It was relocated as the mill, and a cyanide vat. quartz feed for the crusher assayed
Keystone in 1941. The millsite is on the water 0.15 oz/ton gold and 0.4 oz/ton silver.
source nearest the Keynote Mine and would be a A grab sample from the 200 lb of
likely place to obtain water. material in the vat had 0.45 oz/ton
gold, 0.5 oz/ton silver, 0.67, copper,
0.126' lead, and 0.011' zinc. The
crusher is in good condition and
could be used.
Table A. - Summary descriptions of mines, mills, and prospects in and adJacent to the Inyo

Name ( fi~.~1.l Summary. production Resource/sample data
Laskey' s Mi II ~3 It was built in 1880 as the principal mill for the A partially dismantled, steam- The tai lings have washed away. The
Keynote Mine and operated until 1907. powered. 5-stamp mill remains mill and engine could possibly be
on Beveridge Creek. The stamps rehabi I itated.
weigh 750 lb each, and the
engine was rated at about 12
horsepower. About 10 tons of
ore could be crushed per day.
About 4.100 tons of handsorted
ore were treated from which
24,000 oz of gold were recovered.
Laura Mine 21 Two parallel veins, 150 ft apart. trend north and Two adits totaling 40 ft, three The two veins are inferred to total
dip 25° to 45° W. in unaltered diorite. The lower benches totaling 160 ft. and one 57,000 tons of material averaging 0.08
vein is 0.8 ft thick and 980 ft long; the upper pit. It is estimated that 300 oz/ton gold and 0.24 oz/ton Silver.
is 1.4 ft thick and 600 ft long. Both veins are tons of ore containing at least based on 16 chip samples. These
composed of limonitic quartz with pyrite and 30 oz of gold were mined. occurrences are too small to be
chalcopyrite. considered resources. Subsurface
exploration would probably disclose
-..,j
gold-silver resources.
,CJ
Ll ano De I Oro 60 A poorly exposed, 2- to 4-ft-thick. malachite- A 9U-ft caved adit. One Chip sample contained 0.71 copper.
Prospect stained breccia zone, cemented by quartz, strikes This zone is too small and low grade
N. 70° to 80° E. and dips 75° SE. in quartz to be considered a copper resource.
diorite~
Loadstar Prospect 63 Along a fractured contact zone between syenite and One 40-ft bench. three pits, Three chip samples had as much as
limestone is a 1- to 2-ft-thick, 115-ft-long quartz and a 4.5-mile-Iong 0.05~ copper; they averayed 0.0261.
vein containing pyrrhotite, pyrite, and bulldozer road.
*HcFuenter 73 No mineralized structure is exposed. An at least Over a distance of 600 ft Three grab samples of vein material
Prospect U.8-ft-thick vein trending northeast in quartz along the vein are four had 0.11. 0.02. and 0.01 oz/ton
monzonite is indicated from dum~ material and prospect pits and a gold. The vein probably does not
alignment of workings. The vein material on the caved shaft that is probably extend into the WSA.
dumps is composed of limonitic ,quartz with pyrite. about 20 ft deep.
Kano De I Hombre 47 A 0.7- to 4.7-ft-th~ck vein strikes northerly and A 90-ft bench, 40-ft adit. and The vein is inferred to contain 4.90U
Mine dips 10° to 30° W. in quartz monzonite. The vein one pit. It is estimated that tons of material averaging 0.29 ozl
is mainly drusy quartz with limonite, pyrite, 100 tons of ore with at least ton gold, based on five chip
malachite, chalcopyrite, and gold. The exposure 30 oz of gold were mined. samples. It is an occurrence
averages 1.4 ft thick and is 290 ft long. too small to be considered a
resource. Gold resources are
likely to be disclosed by
subsurface exploration.
I I I I I I I I I
I I I I I

Name lf~.2) Summary product ton_ Resourcelsample data
Mano Del Hombre 46 A 0.5- to 3.0-ft thick vein strikes N. 60° E. and Two pits, a 125-ft bench, and The vein is inferred to contain 6,900
Segundo Mine dips 10° to 60° NW. in quartz monzonite. The vein three adits totaliny 380 ft are tons of material that average 0.06 ozl
is mainly drusy quartz with pyrite and limonite. scattered over 400 ft along the ton gold and 0.54 ozlton Silver, based
Only a 280-ft-long portion of the vein, averaging vein. It is estimated that on six chip samples. This is too
2.1 ft thick, contains precious metals. 350 tons were mined containing small and low grade to be considered
at least 20 oz of gold and 200 a resource. Gold-silver resources
oz of silver. may be present.
Morning Sun 70 The prospect is on an extension of the Big Silver A 115-ft adit, one small pit, The vein contains about 44,000 tons of
Prospect Mine deposits. A 0.9- to 2.1-ft-thick vein strikes and a 1,550 ft wireline tram. resources averaging 22 ozlton silver,
N. 60° to 80° E. and dips 85° NW. It averages 0.32~ copper, 0.27~ lead, and 0.76~
1.3 ft thick and crops out intermittently for 900 zinc, based on six samples. The vein
ft along a faulted contact zone between quartz could be mined in conjunction with
monzonite and calcareous metasedimentary beds. The nearby deposits and thus is
zone trends north and dips east. Vein material classified as a subeconomic resource.
is leached and oxidized, and consists of drusy Additional vein material is likely.
quartz with limonite, malachite, tetrahedrite,
and sphalerite.
00 New Argonaut 3 A poorly exposed, 4-ft-thick quartz lens strikes One 5-ft adit. Three samples were taken. One chip
o N. 65° E. and dips 70° NW. in fractured quartz sample across the lens had a trace of
Prospect
monzonite. Both lens and wallrock are limonite gold and 0.07 ozlton silver. A
stained. wallrock sample contained 0.05 ozlton
silver. A grab of quartz from the dump
assayed trace gold and 0.09 oz/ton
silver. All of the samples had about
O.Ol~ copper.
No. 18 Mine 18 A 0.3- to 1.1-ft-thick vein strikes east and dips A 55-ft adit with stope, and a The vein has about 90 tons of material
30° to 35° S. in quartz monzonite. The vein 65-ft bench. It is estimated averaging 0.11 oz/ton gold and 0.2~
averages 0.6 ft thick, is 60 ft long, and is that 100 tons of ore containing ozlton silver, based on six chip
mainly drusy quartz with malachite, limonite, at least 10 oz of gold were samples. The occurrence is too small
and pyrite. mined. to be considered a resource. Gold
resources probably are present at
depth.
No. 32 Mine 32 A vein of limonitic, drusy quartz, with pyrite and Two declines totaling 190 ft, The vein is inferred to contain 1,600
malachite in monzonite, strikes N. 40° to 50° W., and three prospect pits. It tons of material averaging 0.2 oz/ton
dips 25° to 35° NE., and is 0.3- to 1.5-ft thick. is estimated that 200 tons of gold, based on three chip samples.
It averages 0.8 ft thick and is 220 ft long. ore containing 40 oz of gold It is an occurrence too small to be
were mined. considered a resource. Gold resources
are likely at depth.
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (BlM No. COCA-122)--Continued

Name (fi~.2) Summary production Resource/sample data
No. 35 Hi ne 35 Two parallel veins 100 ft apart, strike N. 40° W. Two benches totaling lSS ft, two The upper vein is inferred to contain
and dip lUo to 20° SW. in quartz monzonite. The adits totaling 85 ft, two declines about 12,OOU tons of material averaging
U.4- to 4.0 ft-thick veins are composed of drusy totaling 75 ft, and several small 0.13 oz/ton gold, 1.3 oz/ton silver,
quartz with limonite, malachite, pyrite, and pits and cuts. It is estimated and 0.231 copper, based on seven chip
chalcopyrite. The upper vein averages 0.7 ft that 200 tons of ore containing samples. It is an occurrence too
thick and is developed for 650 ft. at least 20 oz of gold and 300 oz small to be considered a resource.
of silver were mined. The lower vein averages a trace gold,
0.03 oz/ton Silver, and 0.U21 copper.
Gold-silver resources may be present
in thin veins.
No. 5U Hine 50 A 0.5-ft-thick quartz vein with limonite, malachite, One 30-ft bench. It is estimated One chip sample contained 0.1 oz/ton
pyrite, and chalcopyrite strikes N. 30° to 40° W. that 10 tons of ore containing gold, 0.6 oz/ton Silver, and 0.461
and dips 20° to 30° SW. in quartz monzonite. Most at least 1 oz of gold were copper. Extensions of the vein are
of the vein has been mined and does not extend removed. not likely.
beyond the present working.
Panament View 27 A vein, 1.5 to 2.0 ft thick, composed of drusy One BO-ft bench and four The vein is inferred to contain 4BO
Hine quartz with pyrite, galena, and malachite, underground workings totaling tons of material averaging 0.12 oz/ton
strikes N. 30° W. and dips 20° to 30° SW. in 100 ft. It is estimated that 120 gold, 1.8 oz/ton Silver, 0.U91 copper,
quartz diorite. It averages 1.8 ft thick and is tons of ore containing at least and 0.891 lead, based on two chip
developed for 80 ft. 10 oz of gold and 200 oz of samples. The occurrence is too small
silver were mined. to be considered a resource. Additional
vein material and gold-silver resources
may be present at depth.
Pat Keyes 8 The arrastres were used to process ore from the One burro-powered and one steam- The remaining tailings total 1UU tons and
Arrastres Keys Hine. They are located on a permanent water powered arrastre operated in average 0.73 oz/ton gold and 1.B oz/ton
source. the 1890's and 1930's. A silver. The occurrence is too small to
small part of the tailing were be considered a resource.
placer mined in the 1970's.
Prospec t No. 4 4 A U.S- to 1.S-ft-thick drusy quartz vein with One 150-ft bench. One of the two Chip samples across the
limonite strikes N. SOo W. and dips 30° SW. in vein had 0.04 oz/ton gold; the other
monzonite. contained no significant metal values.
Prospect No. 5 5 A limonitic quartz vein, 0.8- to 1.0-ft-thick, One 20-ft adit and one pit 70 ft The vein averages 0.05 oz/ton gold,
strikes N. 35° to 65° W. and dips 25° SW. in to the northwest. based on two chip samples. It is an
quartz monzonite. It averages 0.9 ft thick and occurrence too narrow and low grade to
is explored for 70 ft. be considered a resource.
I I I I I I I I I
I I I

Name (fig._lL Summary n________ production ____ Resource/sample data
Pros pee t No. 10 10 A 0.3-ft-thick, limonitic, drusy quartz vein with One pit. A Chip sample across the single exposure
pyrite strikes N. 85° E. and dips 45° SEe in of this narrow vein assayed 0.05 oz/ton
monzonite. gold and 0.2 oz/ton silver.
Prospect No. 12 12 No mineralized structure is exposed. Working Over a distance of 100 ft along Grab samples of vein material as thick
alignments and material on dumps suggest a 0.5-ft- trend are three benches as 0.5 ft from each of the dumps
thick quartz vein trends northwest in quartz totaling 90 ft. assayed 1.44, 0.20 and 0.05 oz/ton gold.
monzonite. Gold resources may be present at depth.
Prospect No. 20 20 Two parallel veins, 30 ft apart, strike N. 60° to One 4-ft adit. Samples from the upper vein averaged
70° W. and dip 26° to 35° SW. in quartz monzonite. 0.02 oz/ton gold, based on two chip
Each vein is exposed for about 200 ft. They are samples. It is an occurrence too
1.2 to 4.4 ft thick and composed of drusy quartz low grade to be considered a resource.
with limonite, malachite, and pyrite. The upper Samples from the lower vein contained
vein averages 2 ft thick. no significant metallic values.
Prospect No. 29 29 No mineralized structure is exposed. Dump material Two pits 70 ft apart. Two grab samples were taken. One of
and working alignments indicate a northwest- stockpiled quartz assayed 0.092 oz/ton
trending, northeast-dipping, limonitic, pyritic gold. The other of quartz and wallrock
quartz vein at least 0.5 ft thick in quartz had 0.036 oz/ton gold.
monzonite.
Prospect No. 34 34 A poorly exposed, 0.8-ft-thick, horizontal, One small pit. A Chip sample across the vein contained
limonitic, drusy quartz vein is in quartz 0.060z/ton gold. 0.3 oz/ton silver.
monzonite. and 0.02S lead.
Prospect No. 40 40 A poorly exposed, 3.0-ft-thick quartz vein is in One small pit. A chip sample across the vein had 0.052
dolomite intruded by quartz diorite. It follows oz/ton gold, 20.0 oz/ton silver, 0.11~
bedding which strikes N. 50° E. and dips 65° NW. copper. 0.055S lead, and 0.027S zinc.
The vein is exposed for 10 ft and contains Exploration would probably disclose
malachite and tetrahedrite. silver-gold resources.
Prospect No. 43 43 A poorly exposed, 2- to 5-ft-thick silicified zone Over a distance of 40 ft along Three samples were taken. One of two
containing limonite and chalcopyrite strikes N. 40° the zone are four small pits chip samples across the zone had 0.024
W. and dips 35° SW. in quartz monzonite. and a 60-ft adit. oz/ton gold; the other contained no
significant metal values. A grab
sample from the adit dump had 1.9'
copper.
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (6LM No. CDCA-122)--Continued

Name (fJ~ 2) Summary _ production Resource/sample data
Prospect No. 44 44 A O.7-ft-thick quartz vein strikes N. 50· W. and One 30-ft decline and two A chip sample across the vein assayed
dips 30° NE. in quartz diorite. The limonitic, small pits. 0.154 oz/ton gold and 1.3 ozlton
pyritic vein is exposed in only one place but can silver. Gold-Silver resources might
be traced for at least 90 ft. be disclosed by exploration.
Prospec t No. 45 45 A poorly exposed, 1.5-ft-thick, limonitic Quartz One 30-ft decline. A chip sample across the vein assayed
vein strikes H. 40· W. and dips 55· NE. in quartz 0.029 oz/ton gold.
monzonite.
Prospect No. 49 49 In quartz monzonite, a poorly exposed, 2.1-ft- One small pit. A chip sample across the vein assayed
thick vein strikes N. 20· to 40· E. and dips 10· 0.13 oz/ton gold. Gold resources could
to 20· SEe The vein contains pyrite and limonite. be disclosed by exploration.
Prospect No. 62 62 A vein strikes N. 5· to 10· W. and dips 40· to 50· Four pits. The gold-bearing portion of the vein is
NE. in Quartz monzonite. The 400-ft-long, 0.9- to inferred to contain about 5,000 tons
3.8-ft-thick vein exposure is composed of drusy of material averaging 0.09 oZlton gold
Quartz with malachite, limonite, galena, and and 0.84 ozlton Silver, based on three
chalcopyrite. Only a 2S0-ft-lon9, 1.9-ft-thick chip samples. The occurrence is too
portion contains significant metal values. small and low grade to be considered a
CP resource. The vein contains high grade
W
portions and possibly, at depth, has
gold resources.
Prospect No. 72 72 A sheared and limonite-stained contact zone between Road cut. A chip sample across the exposure
an andesite dike and limestone is exposed in a road contained trace gold, 0.6 ozlton
cut. The zone is 2.6 ft thick, strikes N. 25· W., silver, and 0.611 copper. Subsurface
dips 84° HE., and contains Quartz and malaChite. exploration could disclose gold-silver-
copper resources.
Prospect No. 77 77 No mineralized structure is exposed. Dump material Over a distance of 80 ft are Two samples of Quartz from dumps
and working alignments suggest a quartz vein trends two small pits and a 40-ft contained 0.635 and 1.006 ozlton
northwest in granitic rock near its contact with caved adit. gold, 10.53 and 7.1 oz/ton silver,
calcareous sedimentary beds. Quartz on the dumps 2.981 and 1.91 copper. and 6.261 and
contains malachite, chalcopyrite, galena, and 1.951 lead. Silver-gold-co~per-lead
tetrahedrite. resources could be disclosed by
subsurface exploration.
Prospect No. 78 78 A breccia zone in a basalt flow strikes N. 10· to None. Two chip samples had a trace gold. The
20· W. and dips 10· to 20· SW. It is exposed zone is on the trend of the Beveridge
for 300 ft along strike and is composed of gold vein system. The brecciation and
limonitic, basalt-breccia cemented by Quartz gold detected may indicate that the
and calcite. system is present at depth.
I I I I I I I I I
I I
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (8lH No. CDCA-122)--Continued

Name (fig. 2) Summary ___________ production Resource/sample data
Red Dog Hine 22 An irregular, branching vein strikes N. 20 0 to 40 0 Scattered for l,5UO ft along the Three segments of the vein, totaling 480
W., dips IUD to 40 0 SW., and is exposed vein are six underground workings ft and averaging 2.2 ft thick, are
intermittently for over 2,500 ft in quartz totaling 500 ft, three benches inferred to contain 6,800 tons of
monzonite. The U.5- to 10.0-ft-thick quartz totaling 150 ft, and a number Material averaging 0.U9 oz/ton gold
vein is mainly drusy quartz with limonite, of small pits and open cuts. and 0.12 oz/ton silver, based on 26
malachite, pyrite, and gold. It is estimated that 600 tons chip samples. It is an occurrence too
of ore containing at least 50 small and low grade to be considered
oz of gold were mined. a resource. Additional vein material
and gold resources are likely.
Rock Roof Mine 16 A poorly exposed 1.1- to 4.0-ft-thick zone of A 40-ft caved adit and 100-ft One of two chip samples across the zone
limonite- and malaChite-stained gouge and quartz bench. It is estimated that assayed 0.03 oz/ton gold; the second
follows a contact between granite and greenstone 50 tons of ore containing at sample contained no significant metal
that strikes N. 58 0 E. and dips 32 0 NW. least 20 oz of gold were values. Two grab samples of quartz
mined. from dumps had trace and 1.33 oz/ton
gold, 0.1 and 0.6 oz/ton silver, 0.34~
and 1.9' copper, and trace and 0.16'
lead. Gold-silver-copper-lead
resources may be present.
co
~
Sa I Pros pec t 37 A small skarn zone and a few randomly oriented, One 170-ft adit and four pits. Nine samples from the skarn zone were
2.0- to 5.0-ft-thick fracture zones that contain barren. Three chip samples across
limonite- and malachite-stained quartz are along fracture zones contained as much as
a contact zone between limestone and quartz 0.07 oz/ton gold and 0.19' copper. A
monzonite. grab sample of quartz from a dump
contained 0.19~ copper.
Saline Valley 79 The 13-mile-long aerial tram had 268 12-ft 3 buckets The tram carried about 30,000 Host of the tram remains in the WSA.
Salt Tram on a 2-in. diameter wire rope and was driven by tons of salt from deposits in Much of the equipment used to construct
electric motors. Built between 1911 and 1913 at a Saline Valley across the WSA the ore trams at mines in the WSA was
cost of S300,OOO, the tram was operated to Owens Valley. salvaged from the salt tram.
intermittently until 1930.
Si lver Harvest 68 Along a contact zone between quartz monzonite and Two adits totaling 40 ft and The accessible portion of the zone is
Prospect argillaceous limestone is an 8~ to 91-ft thick a pit. inferred to contain 18U,OOU tons of
fracture zone that trends northeast and dips material that average 2.6 oz/ton
steeply. The zone is visible for 1,800 ft along silver, based on six chip samples.
strike and for 800 ft downdipi but, because of Assuming the zone would be mined in
cliffs, is accessible for only about 460 ft. conjunction with nearby depOSits, it
The accessible part of the zone averages 20 ft is classified a subeconomic resource.
thick, and is leaChed and oxidized breccia and Additional silver-bearing material is
gouge with Quartz and tetrahedrite. probably present in the inaccessible
parts of the zone.
Table .A. - SUlllllary descriptions of mines, mills, and prospects in and adjacent to the Inyo
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (8lM No. CDCA-122)--Continued

Name (fig. 2t ____ ~__ __ S _ u l l l l l a r y _ production Resource/sample data
Si her Ri dge 36 A limonitic vein is in a quartz monzonite intrusion Four small pits. The vein is inferred to contain 5,300
No.1 Prospect in limestone. The 0.7- to 3.5-ft-thick vein tons averaging 1.7 oz/ton Silver, 2.5~
strikes east, dips 60° to 85° NE., and is mainly lead, and U.13~ copper, based on three
quartz and calcite, with galena, tetrahedrite, chip samples. It is too small to be
and argentite. It is traceable for 240 ft and considered a resource. Additional vein
averages 2.2 ft thick. material and silver-capper-lead
resources are likely.
Si her Ridge 38 A 2.0- to 3.5-ft-thick lens is composed of quartz One 45-ft open stope from There are about 100 tons remaining whiCh
No.2 Mine and calcite, with galena, tetrahedrite, and which 90 tons of ore containing average 0.08 oz/ton gold, 2.1 oz/ton
argentite. It is almost 50 ft long, strikes at least 8 oz of gold, 180 oz of silver, 1.6~ lead, and U.4' zinc, based
N. 40° to 45° W. and dips steeply across limestone silver, and 2,900 lb of lead were on four chip samples.
beds intruded by quartz diorite. The lens is mined.
almost mined out.
Si her Ridge 39 A 2-ft-thick, 200-ft-long, limonite-stained zone None. Two Chip samples across the zone were
No. 3 Prospect occurs in quartzite. barren.
Snowflake Talc 41 Four irregular, curvilinear talc lenses follow There are two groups of workings The four talc lenses are inferred to
Mine fractured contact zones between dolomitic limestone 1,300 ft apart. At the east contain about 340,000 tons. Assuming
and quartz diorite. The lenses total about 2,000 group are a 370-ft tunnel with the depOSits would be mined in
ft in length, average 5 ft thick, and are composed stopes, a 100-ft caved adit, a conjunction with nearby depOSits,
of green-to-white, blocky talc that grades outward number of small pits and cuts, the Snowflake deposit is classified
into impure talc-schist stringers. Pods of hard, and an ore bin. At the west a marginal reserve. Additional talc
calcareous-siliceous rock are included in the talc. group are an 80-ft adit, three is likely.
pits, several small pits and
cuts, and dismantled slusher.
It is estimated that 5,000 tons
of steatite talc were hand
cobbed and shipped.
Spring Mine 65 The mineralized structure has been mined. Working Over a distance of 500 ft are Fourteen samples were taken; 12 were
alignments and mineralized rock on the dumps three adits totaling 400 ft, cnip samples from adits, and two were
indicate it was an east-trending, 20° to 30° SW. and several pits and open grab samples of quartz from dumps. A
dipping vein in metavolcanic and calcareous cuts. It is estimated that 4-ft chip sample across a limonitic
metasedimentary rock intruded by quartz monzonite. 500 tons of ore containing fracture zone contained 0.554 oz/ton
The vein was mainly limonite- and malaChite-stained 100 oz of gold were mined. gold. One grab sample had 0.07 Oz/ton
quartz. gold and 0.5' copper. All the other
samples were barren.
I I J I
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (8LM No. CDCA-122)--Continued

Swei tzer Mi ne 23 A 1.7- to 3.2-ft-thick, 930-ft-long branching vein A 450-ft adit with stope to the Identified are about 540 tons of vein
strikes N. 10° to 25° E. and dips 50° to 80° NE. surface, and several small pits material averaging 8.3 oz/ton silver,
in quartz diorite. The vein material is mainly and open cuts. It is estimated based on seven chip samples. The
quartz with limonite, malachite, azurite, and that 100 tons of ore containing occurrence is too small to be
tetrahedrite. Silver-bearing vein segments at least 800 oz of silver were considered a resource. It is probable
total 115 ft in length and average 1.7 ft thick. mined. that silver resources are present at
depth.
Tay 1or-McE 1voy 13 Eight nearly parallel veins, 200- to 300-ft apart, Along the veins are 12 adits The eight veins are inferred to contain
Mine area are along a fracture zone in quartz monzonite. The totaling about 2.200 ft. and 370,000 tons of resources averaging
zone can be traced 3,600 ft along its N. 20° to 40° nine benches totaling 1,300 ft. 0.24 oz/ton gold and 0.23 oz/ton silver,
W. trend. ·The veins are 0.2 to 3.3 ft thick and A dismantled stamp mill. based on 73 chip samples. The deposit
average 1.7 ft thick. They are mainly drusy quartz arrastre. and steam engine are is classified a marginal reserve,
with gold, malachite, limonite. hematite boxwork. on McElvoy Creek below tne assuming it is mined in conjunction
pyrite, and chalcopyrite. workings. It is estimated with other deposits in the WSA and
that 800 tons of ore containing can be treated using typical mining
at least 200 oz of gold and and milling methods. Additional
200 oz of silver were mined. gold-silver resources are likely.
Trapi er Mi ne 75 A 0.3- to 1.3-ft-thick vein follows a quartz A glory hole. two adits connected Four chip samples were taken aross tne
monzonite-quartz diorite contact. The vein strikes by stopes. and a caved adit all vein. One sample from a stope assayed
N. 30° to 40° W., dips 40° to 70° NE., and is mainly totaling 200 ft. It is estimated 7.91 oz/ton gold, 17.8 oz/ton silver.
quartz with galena. High grade material has mostly that about 200 tons containing. and 3.81S lead. The other three chip
been mined. The remaining vein material is low at best. 5000z of gold, 3.000 oz samples contained no significant
grade and erratically mineralized. of silver. and 5 tons of lead metal values.
have been mined.
Trio Mf11site 42 This is a millsite for talc claims near Willow Creek A dump trUCk, front-end loader. A likely source of water.
and lode claims near Cerro Gordo. The millsite is compressor. bulldozer. and
on one of the few water sources with road access. other equipment.
Valley View 57 No mineralized structure is exposed. Dump material One 20-ft trench. A grab sample from the dump had 0.031
Prospect indicates a quartz-calcite vein with limonite, oz/ton gold. 0.26 oz/ton Silver, and
malachite, and pyrite in a 20-ft long, calcareous, 0.211 copper.
metasedimentary xenolith in quartz monzonite.
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Bureau of Mines Report On Inyo Mountains Wilderness Area

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Bureau of Mines Report On Inyo Mountains Wilderness Area

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Bureau of Mines Open File Reportl1985

Mineral Resources of the Inyo Mountains

Abs trac t .................................................. . 6

- reserves averaging 0.24 oz gold and 0.74 oz silver/ton; 2) three

- The marginal gold reserves at $450/oz might De profitably mined

- additional reserves or resources would liKely be disclosed by trenching

1/ Physical Scientist (Geologist), Western Field Operations Center,

Saline Valley Road

- 19 •••.••••. Crysta1 Mine (gold)

- 22 •.•....•. Red Dog Mine (gold)

- 26 ...•..•.• Keynot No. 30 Mine (gold)

- Gavalan Mine area (gold) •••.•••....•......... 59

Laura Mi ne (go 1d-s i 1 ver). .........•.......... 21

- recorded during this period.

8/ Steatite talc: A nigh-grade variety of talc suitable for use in

9/ Amalgamation: A process of gola or silver recovery in which the ore.

TABLE 1. - Significant gold mines and Eros~ects

(--, too poorly exposed to determine quantity and grade)

Map no. Quant ity Resource

v Highland Chief Mine 31 do •••••••••••• Gold

Horseshoe Mine 54 81,000 do •••••••••••• .08 Gold

TABLE 1. - Significant gold mines and prospects--Continued

Keys Mine 6 18,000 do •••••••••••• .25 Gold

Lau ra Mi ne 21 57,000 do •••••••••••• .08 Gold

Mano Del Hombre 46 6,90U do •••••••••••• .06 Gold

No. 18 Mine 18 90 do •••••••••••• .11 Gold

No. 32 Mine 32 1,600 do •••••••••••• .2 Gold

No. 35 Mine 35 12,000 do •••••••••••• .13 Gold

Panament View Mine 27 480 do •••••••••••• .12 Gold

Prospect No. 12 12 do •••••••••••• Gold

1/ U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey (1980).

Canyons about 1.5 miles nortneast of the summit of Keynote Peak.

- quartz with malaChite, limonite, hematite, pyrite, Chalcopyrite, galena, and

o 200 400 FEET

FIGURE 7. - Gavalan Mine area

TABLE 2. - Significant silver mines and prospects

American Prospect 84 390,000 Occurrence 0.7 Silver

TABLE 2. - Significant silver mines and prospects--Continued

1/ U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey (1980).

- GEOLOGY: A silver-bearing quartz vein is in the irregular contact zone

- by the Morning Sun tram.

Contour Intervl' 400 feet ~

value then Death Valley-type talc. Our initial estimate was

.. GEOLOGY: Three talc lenses are in flinty, dolomitic limestone at the

Talc zone~ showing dip,

FIGURE 12. - Bonham (White Mountain) Talc Mine

--- ~-~,......-"" :-- --< -t<

FIGURE 13. - Doris Dee Talc Mine

FIGURE 14. - Locations of gold, silver, and talc deposits with

Vein thickness ••••••••••••••••••••••• As much as 8.5 ft, averaging

Wallrock •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Fractured and metamorphosed.

At the Snowflake Mine, 50,000 tons of talc could be mined by surface

The cost to produce 640,000 tons of unprocessed or processed talc would

- Knopf, Adolph, and Kirk, Edwin, 1918, A geologic reconnaissance of tne

Hap no. Workings and

Map no. Workings and

Map no. Workings and

Map no. Workings and

Map no. Workings and

Map no. Workings and

Map no. Workings and