Grace Mine

Past Producer in Berks county in Pennsylvania, United States with commodities Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Gold, Sulfur-Pyrite
Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Alteration
  8. Mineral occurrence model information
  9. Host and associated rocks
  10. Nearby scientific data
  11. Geologic structures
  12. Ore body information
  13. Controls for ore emplacement
  14. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  15. Mining district
  16. Mineral rights holdings
  17. Land status
  18. Ownership information
  19. Production statistics
  20. Reserves and resources
  21. Links to other databases
  22. Bibliographic references
  23. General comments
  24. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10067406
MRDS ID W000153
Record type Site
Current site name Grace Mine
Alternate or previous names Grace Iron-Cobalt Mine, Jones & Kinney Mine, Bylers Mine, Morgantown Mine

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: -75.882, 40.172 (WGS84)
Location accuracy 10000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Berks(county)

Pennsylvania(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Morgantown(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Reading(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Newark(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Lower Susquehanna(hydrologic unit)

Lower Susquehanna(hydrologic accounting unit)

Susquehanna(hydrologic subregion)

Mid Atlantic(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Pennsylvania Berks

Comments on the location information

  • Located 2 miles north of Morgantown, PA.

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Iron Primary
Cobalt Critical Primary
Copper Secondary
Gold Secondary
Sulfur-Pyrite Secondary

Comments on the commodity information

  • Sulfide concentrates, a result of the milling, produced valuable byproducts of iron, copper, cobalt and gold.

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Magnetite Ore
Pyrite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Covellite Ore
Digenite Ore
Serpentine Gangue
Talc Gangue
Chlorite Gangue
Calcite Gangue
Dolomite Gangue
Phlogopite Gangue
Tremolite Gangue
Biotite Gangue
Apatite Gangue
Diopside Gangue
Hematite Gangue
Galena Unknown
Marcasite Unknown
Pyrrhotite Unknown
Sphalerite Unknown

Alteration

  • (Local) Contact Metamorphism/Hydrothermal Alteration

Analytical data

Result VERAGE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF GRACE MINE CRUDE ORE, (FROM SIMS, 1968): FE-43.7, MAGNETIC FE-40.5, S-1.9, P-0.027, MN-0.14, CU-0.06, CO-0.02, SIO2-16.0, AL2O3-2.8, MG0-12.3, CA0-3.0, NA2O-0.20, K2O-0.41, TIO2-0.15, NI-0.009, ZN-0.008, PB-0.006, IG LOSS-2.4\n\n

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 62
USGS model code 18d
Deposit model name Skarn Fe

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Sandstone
    Rock unit name Stockton Formation
    Rock description Stockton Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Late Triassic
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate
    Rock unit name Elbrook Formation
    Rock description Elbrook Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Middle Cambrian
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Mafic Intrusive Rock > Diorite > Diabase
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Triassic
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Dolomite
    Rock unit name Ledger Formation
    Rock description Ledger Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Late Cambrian

Nearby scientific data

(1) -75.882, 40.172

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Local
Structure description Triassic basin regional trend NE-SW
Type of structure Regional
Structure description Triassic Basin ; Reg.Trends: Northeast-Southwest

Ore body information

  • General form TABULAR
    Strike N60 DEG W
    Dip 25 DEG NE
    Plunge 20 DEG
    Plunge direction N80 DEG E
    Thickness 121.92M
    Length 1066.8M
    Width 457.2M
    Depth to top 381M
    Depth to bottom 868.68M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Iron Ore Minerals Introduced From Diabase. Ore Formed By Hydrothermal Fluids

Comments on the geologic information

  • Cambrian sandstones, shales and limestones overlie Precambrian crystalline rocks and were folded and thrust-faulted during the Late Paleozoic. Late Triassic continental sediments were deposited on the deformed basement rocks and were intruded by Late Triassic diabase dikes and sills before regional tilting and normal faulting occurred (Sims, 1968). Ore formed at a pressure of 1500 bars and 500-675 degrees C. Major units are dolomites, limestones, and sandstones. Age of mineralization is Late Triassic.
  • The Ore Has Replaced A Cambrian Limestone Lens Isolated Between Triassic Diabase Footwall And Triassic Sedimentary Rock Hanging Wall.

    Cambrian Sandstones, Shales, And Limestones Overlie Precambrian Crystalline Rock And Were Folded And Thrust-Faulted During The Late Paleozoic Appalachian Revolution. Late Triassic Continental Sediments Were Deposited On The Deformed Basement Rocks And Were Intruded By Late Triassic Diabase Dikes And Sills Before Regional Tilting And Normal Faulting Occurred. (Sims, Samuel J., 1968, See Ref. #4).

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1948
Discoverer Airborne Magnetometer Survey
Year of first production 1958
Production years 1958-PRESENT

Mining district

District name Eastern Penn

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Bethlehem Steel Corp.
    Interest 100
    Home office Pennsylvania
    Year 1976

Comments on the ownership information

  • Bethlehem Mines Corporation operated the mine, concentrator, and agglomerating plant. It produced iron ore pellets and pyrite concentrate.

Production statistics

  • Year 1964
    Period 1958-1964
    Material iron cobalt ore
    Ore mined 10450mt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Iron Iron 44wt-pct
  • Year 1971
    Material iron cobalt ore
    Ore mined 1740mt
  • Year 1971
    Material Fe ore
    Ore mined 12mt
  • Year 1975
    Material Co ore
    Ore mined 0.7mt
  • Year 1977
    Period 1958-1977
    Material iron cobalt ore
    Ore mined 41000mt

Comments on the production information

  • Production values for cobalt in 1975 estimated by reporter Shaffer. Production values for iron in 1971 calculated by reporter Shaffer assuming 3.66% Fe and 0.04 % Co, with 75% recovery.
  • FROM 1974 OUTPUT 1803923 TONS FROM 1974 MESAEMP DATA - MINE EMP 592 MILL EMP76

    FROM 1975 EMJ DIR ACTUAL ORE TONNAGE 2568880 ACTUAL WASTE TONNAGE
  • Following information probably 1983-4: PRODUCTION WAS TERMINATED JULY 17, 1977. THE MINE IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN CLOSED. COBALT WAS NEVER RECOVERED FROM ORE AT THE GRACE MINE. STATUS OF MINE CHECKED MAY 13, 1980 BY PHONE WITH MR CHARLES TAYLOR, ASST MGR, N. AMER. MINES DIV. BETHLEHEM STEEL CORP. THERE ARE NO PLANS TO REOPEN THE MINE. UNDERGROUND WORKINGS ARE BEING MAINTAINED, PUMPED DRY. SURFACE PLANT IS INTACT. ALL MOBIL UNDERGROUND EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN REMOVED.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1973
    Measured 22675000metric tons
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper copper 0.06 wt-pct Copper Secondary 1973
    Cobalt cobalt 0.056 wt-pct Cobalt Primary 1973
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1975
    Reserves 50000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Cobalt cobalt ore 0.04 wt-pct Cobalt Major 1975

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • RESERVES UNKNOWN

Comments on development

  • ECON.COM: IRON ORE MINING IN PA. HAD PRACTICALLY DISAPPEARED UNTIL THE DISCOVERY OF THE GRACE MINE. THE MINE IS CLOSE TO A RAILROAD AND THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE.

Reference information

Comments on the other database information

  • Complete record W000153 was compiled from records W006885, W100193, and W021900. Additional information was taken from Sims 1968.

Bibliographic references

  • Commodity

    ANDREWS, R.W., 1962, COBALT: OVERSEAS GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS, MINERAL RESOURCES DIVISION, LONDON, HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.

  • General

    Vhay, J.S., Brobst, D.A., and Hely, A.V., 1973, Cobalt, in Brobst, D.A., and Pratt, W.P, eds., United States Mineral Resources: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 820, p. 148-155.

  • Deposit

    TSUSUE, AKIO, MINERAL ASPECTS OF THE GRACE MINE MAGNETITE DEPOSIT PA. GEOL. SUR. RPT. M49, 1964.

  • Reserve-Resource

    THE ECONOMICS OF BYPRODUCT METAL, BUREAU OF MINES INFORMATION CIRCULAR/1973.

  • Production

    ENGINEERING MINING JOURNAL 1972 INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING: NEW YORK, MCGRAW-HILL, INC., P. 135.

  • Reserve-Resource

    ORE DEPOSITS OF THE UNITED STATES 1933-1967 VOLUME 1, 1968 EDITION. PG. 119.

  • Deposit

    COCHRAN, WILLIAM, GRACE IRON ORE WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND EED COSTS, BUMINES IC-8435, 1969.

  • Reserve-Resource

    COBALT: A MATERIALS SURVEY. BUREAU OF MINES INFORMATION CIRCULAR 8103.

  • Deposit

    LAPHAM AND GEYER, MINERAL COLLECTING IN PA., PA. GEOL. SUR. G-33, 2 ND ED., 1965, PP 35-38.

  • Commodity

    U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, 1975, COMMODITIES DATA SUMMARY.

  • Deposit

    SIMS, S.J., 1968, THE GRACE MINE MAGNETITE DEPOSIT, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, IN RIDGE, J.D., ED., ORE DEPOSITS, OF THE UNITED STATES 1933-1967 (GRATON-SALES VOLUME) V. 1: AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING, METALLURGICAL, AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERS, P. 108-124.

  • Deposit

    GRACE MINE PAMPHLET, BETHLEHEM MINES CORP, 1962

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINES REGISTER, 1975-76

  • Deposit

    ROSE, ARTHUR, ATLAS OF PENNSYLVANIAS MINERAL RESOURCES, PART GEOL SUR BULL M50, 1970

  • Deposit

    SOCOLOW, ARTHUR, GEOLOGIC INTERPRETATION OF AEROMAGNETIC MAP MORGANTOWN QUADRANGLE, PA GEOL SUR IC-34, 1959

  • Deposit

    THE ECONOMICS OF BYPRODUCT METALS, BUMINES IC-8570, 1973

  • Deposit

    MATERIALS SURVEY, COBALT, BUMINES-USGS, 1950

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit The ore body has no outcrop. The northeastern portion of the ore body is not know in detail.
General NON-RECOVERABLE OR DELETERIOUS MATERIALS INCLU MANGANESE .14%, POTASSIUM OXIDE .41%, TITANIUM OXIDE .15%, N .009%, ZINC .008%, LEAD .006%, GOLD (UNKNOWN GRADE), LOI 2.4%. DENSITY OF ORE 3.6
Deposit Ore body shape is roughly tabular in shape. It strikes about N 60 degrees W, dips 20 to 30 degrees northeast and plunges about 20 degrees N80W. The ore body is approximately 3500 feet long by 700 to 1500 feet wide, and ranges from less than 50 feet to more than 400 feet in thickness. It lies between 600 and 2200 feet below the surface. The ore body was discovered in 1948 by aerial magnetometer. Iron ore mining in PA had practically disappeared until the discovery of the Grace Mine. Iron minerals were introduced from diabase ore and formed by hydrothermal fluids.
Deposit AVERAGE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF GRACE MINE CRUDE ORE, IN WEIGHT PERCENT (FROM SIMS, 1968): FE = 43.7, MAGNETIC FE = 40.5, S = 1.9, P = 0.027, MN = 0.14, CU = 0.06, CO = 0.02, SIO2 = 16.0, AL2O3 = 2.8, MG0- = 2.3, CA0 = 3.0, NA2O = 0.20, K2O = 0.41, TIO2 = 0.15, NI = 0.009, ZN = 0.008, PB = 0.006, LOST ON IGNITION = 2.4.
Deposit The ore has replaced a Cambrian limestone lens isolated between Triassic diabase footwall and Triassic sedimentary rock hanging wall. Significant alteration includes pyrrhotite and magnetite altered to marcasite, secondary pyrite, goethite, and hematite.
Deposit Deposit is situated on the southern border of the Triassic lowlands section of the Piedmont province, in the Appalachian Foldbelt.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-MAR-72 Wright, Nancy U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 01-AUG-72 Coury, Anny B. U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 01-JAN-75 Shaffer, Glenn L. U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 01-JAN-83 Whitlow, S. U.S. Geological Survey
Editor 10-NOV-03 Woodruff, Laurel G. U.S. Geological Survey Work done in Filemaker
Updater 07-JAN-11 Causey, J. Douglas U.S. Geological Survey Added info from MRDS records W021900, W006885 and MAS 0420110001 (Dep_ID 10075338, 10069386, 10201574) and deleted that record.
Reporter 01-JUL-75 Shaffer, Glenn L. U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 27-FEB-84 Schmidt U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

External references