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Bunker Hill Mine

Past Producer in Shoshone county in Idaho, United States with commodities Silver, Lead, Zinc, Gold, Copper, Cadmium, Antimony, Cobalt, Uranium
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Public Land Survey System information
  6. Commodities
  7. Materials information
  8. Alteration
  9. Mineral occurrence model information
  10. Host and associated rocks
  11. Nearby scientific data
  12. Geologic structures
  13. Ore body information
  14. Controls for ore emplacement
  15. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  16. Mining district
  17. Land status
  18. Ownership information
  19. Production statistics
  20. Reserves and resources
  21. Workings at the site
  22. Links to other databases
  23. Bibliographic references
  24. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10105938
MRDS ID W019388
Record type Site
Current site name Bunker Hill Mine
Alternate or previous names Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine, Last Chance Mine, Stemwinder Mine, Tyler Mine
Related records 10107338, 10290715

Comments on the site names

  • The modern Bunker Hill mine property is an amalgamation over time of many mines. Some of these mines, including the Caledonia, Last Chance, Sierra Nevada, and Senator Stewart are described separately, as they occupy positions peripheral to the main Bunker Hill orebodies and were largely mined out prior to incorporation with the Bunker Hill Mine.

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Geographic coordinates: Elevation UTM Precision Relative position Point location
Ore Body -116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) At the head of Milo Gulch
(click for info)
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 751 At Kellogg
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 936 On west side of Milo Creek
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 954 In Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 1087 East side of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 1042 East side of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 1016 East side of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 1054 West side of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 1099 West side of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 1138 West side of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 961 East side of Deadwood Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 698 At the west end of Kellogg
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 702 At west end of Kellogg
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 693 At west end of Kellogg
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 701 At mouth of Government Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 700 At west end of Kellogg
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 716 At Smelter Heights, just east of the mouth of Government Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 776 In Government Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 890 In Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 996 At head of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 978 At head of Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 950 In Milo Gulch
-116.13913, 47.53377 (WGS84) 914 In Milo Gulch

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Shoshone(county)

Idaho(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Kellogg West(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Coeur D'Alene(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Spokane(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

South Fork Coeur d'Alene(hydrologic unit)

Spokane(hydrologic accounting unit)

Kootenai-Pend Oreille-Spokane(hydrologic subregion)

Pacific Northwest(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Idaho Shoshone

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Boise 048N 002E;003E 01,02,11,12,13,14,22,23,24,26;06,16,17,18,19,29,30,31,32 Idaho

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Silver Primary
Lead Primary
Zinc Critical Primary
Gold Secondary
Copper Secondary
Cadmium Tertiary
Antimony Critical Tertiary
Cobalt Critical Tertiary
Uranium Tertiary

Comments on the commodity information

  • Relative abundance of minerals is for the deposit as a whole. Individual orebodies may be galena (Pb) or sphalerite (Zn) rich with differeng relative abundance of gangue and trace minerals.

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Galena Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Tetrahedrite Ore
Cerussite Ore
Quartz Gangue
Pyrite Gangue
Arsenopyrite Gangue
Siderite Gangue
Ankerite Gangue
Sericite Gangue
Barite Gangue
Limonite Gangue
Chlorite Gangue
Pyrrhotite Gangue
Hematite Gangue
Acanthite Trace
Anglesite Trace
Massicot Trace
Boulangerite Trace
Bournonite Trace
Calcite Trace
Caledonite Trace
Linarite Trace
Covellite Trace
Gypsum Trace
Hemimorphite Trace
Hydrocerussite Trace
Plattnerite Trace
Pyrargyrite Trace
Pyrolusite Trace
Pyromorphite Trace
Silver Trace
Stephanite Trace

Alteration

  • (Local) Sericitization; Bleaching of hematite-bearings sediments; Chloritization
  • (Local) Zone of disseminated siderite extends 10s to 100s of meters out from the veins, passing into a siderite-ankerite zone up to 10s of meters wide, and then into a zone of ankerite-calcite 100s of meters wide.
  • (Local) The deposit is at least partly oxidized down to about 600 meters depth, presumably along major faults. Shallow orebodies mined in the 1880s to early 1900s were largely oxidized with cerussite as the principal ore mineral.

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 85
USGS model code 22c
Deposit model name Polymetallic veins
Mark3 model number 46

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Metasedimentary Rock > Quartzite
    Rock unit name St. Regis Formation
    Rock description St. Regis Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Metasedimentary Rock > Quartzite
    Rock unit name Revett Formation
    Rock description Revett Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Regional
Structure description The Cate Fault (strikes NW to N, 55SW dip)is the main shear in the deposit, with several branch shears, including the Alhambra, Dull, J, Kruger, Motor, Sullivan, and Veral-Slavonian Faults. The Cate Fault is conjugate to the Osburn Fault to the north. The Dull is the principal branch shear, and much of the deposit lies on structures between the Cate and Dull Faults.
Type of structure Regional
Structure description Most of the deposit is within the NE overturned limb of a WNW-trending anticline. Host sediments strike N60-80W and dip SW. Parasitic folds are common. Axial planes strike about N16W and dip 42SW, with the axis plunging 34 degrees to N60W.
Type of structure Local
Structure description Fractures and faults striking NE to EW, dipping SE to S, connect the Cate and Dull Faults.

Ore body information

  • Name Emery
    General form PINCH AND SWELL
    Strike 52SE
    Dip 52SE
    Thickness 478
    Length 267
  • Name Francis
    General form PINCH AND SWELL
    Strike 58SE
    Dip 58SE
    Thickness 537
    Length 212
  • Name Guy
    General form TABULAR
    Strike 53SW
    Dip 53SW
    Plunge 35
    Plunge direction N87W
    Thickness 117
    Length 305
    Width 91
  • Name Hangingwall Tony
    General form TABULAR
    Strike 29SW
    Dip 29SW
    Length 75
    Width 8
  • Name Lower Tony
    General form PINCH AND SWELL
    Strike 25-30SE
    Dip 25-30SE
    Thickness 300
    Length 120
    Width 9
  • Name Mac
    General form PINCH AND SWELL
    Strike 35-40SE
    Dip 35-40SE
    Thickness 600
    Length 370
    Width 2
  • Name March
    General form WEDGE
    Strike 42SW
    Dip 42SW
    Thickness 610
    Length 305
    Width 61
  • Name Quill
    General form TABULAR
    Strike 42SW
    Dip 42SW
    Plunge 34
    Plunge direction N60W
  • Name Stanley
    General form TABULAR
    Strike 48SW
    Dip 48SW
    Thickness 400
    Length 152
  • Name Truman
    General form PINCH AND SWELL
    Strike 48SE
    Dip 48SE
    Thickness 626
    Length 137
  • Name Upper Tony
    General form TABULAR
    Strike 32SW
    Dip 32SW
    Thickness 90
    Length 60
    Width 4.5
  • Name West J
    General form PINCH AND SWELL
    Strike 35-45S
    Dip 35-45S
    Thickness 366
    Length 427

Comments on the ore body information

  • There are dozens of orebodies in the deposit, only the larger ones are noted above. Economic deposits are of two types: (1) massive wedge-shaped or tabular open-space filling and replacement veins along faults and larger extension fractures striking NW to EW and dipping SW; (2) Closely spaced fracture fillings near NE to EW striking SE or S dipping faults forming pinch-and-swell veins (locally called Jersey or Link-type Veins). Sporadic stratiform mineralization throughout the mine is not economic. The largest orebody, the March, is a pipe-like triangualr prism-shaped replacement body at the intersection of the Cate and Dull faults.

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Orebodies occur mostly in upper Revett Formation consisting of about 50 percent massive quartzite interlayerd with thin-bedded sericitic quartzite, silitite, and argillite.
  • In the NW part of the mine, most ore is in the hanging wall of the Cate Fault whereas in the SE part, most ore is in the footwall of the Cate Fault.
  • Structural controls are significant and of many varieties. Principal control is the intersection of two general fault and fracture sets (NW and NE) within the overturned northern limb of a WNW trending anticline. Major replacement orebodies, such as the March, occur at the intersection of the Cate Fault with branching faults. NE striking Link veins are hosted by faults that connect the Cate with its various branch faults. Hinges of parasitic flexures on the anticlinal limb contain crackle zones that are an important control for the Quill and similar zinc orebodies.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Large
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1885
Discoverer Noah S. Kellog and his jackass
Year of first production 1886
Year of last production 1991
Plant type Beneficiation (Mill)
Plant subcategory Flotation
Milling method Flotation
Production years 1886-1889, 1891-1981,1998-1991

Mining district

District name Yreka

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Lessee/Operator
    Owner Helena Concentrating Co.
    Interest 100
    First year 1885
    Last year 1887
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co.
    Interest 100
    Home office San Francisco, California
    First year 1887
    Last year 1956
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner The Bunker Hill Co.
    Interest 100
    Home office Kellogg, Idaho
    First year 1956
    Last year 1968
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Gulf Resources and Chemical Co.
    Interest 100
    First year 1968
    Last year 1982
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Bunker LP
    Interest 100
    Home office Spokane, Washington
    First year 1982
  • Type Lessee/Operator
    Owner Bunker Hill Mining Co. (U.S.) Inc.
    Interest 100
    Home office Kellogg, Idaho
    First year 1987
    Last year 1994

Production statistics

  • Year 1983
    Period 1887-1981
    Material Ore Treated
    Ore mined 35457348mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major smelter recovery Silver Silver 4080mt 157g/mt
  • Year 1991
    Period 1988-1991
    Material Ore Milled
    Ore mined 756652mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major in concentrate Lead Lead 12135mt 2wt-pct

Comments on the production information

  • Production data reported by Mitchell and Bennett (1983) to which are added 1981 production from Gulf Resources & Chemical Co. 1981 annual report and data on grade from Long (1998).
  • Production reported by Bunker Hill Mining Co. (U.S.) Inc. in their annual and quarterly reports.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Name End of year reserves
    Estimate year 1990
    Total resources 8400000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Zinc 4.85 wt-pct Zinc Major 1990
    Lead 1.6 wt-pct Lead Major 1990
    Silver 98 g/mt Silver Major 1990

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • End of year reserves reported by Bunker Hill Mining Co. (U.S.) Inc. in their 1990 annual report.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Name of workings Total development
    Length 208000M
    Overall depth 1402
  • Type of workings Underground
    Name of workings Kellogg Adit
    Length 3350M

Comments on the workings information

  • Total development when mine closed in 1981. Other sources estimate total workings at more than 240,000 meters. The Kellogg adit is the principal access to the mine.

Comments on development

  • The Bunker Hill mine used several mining methods, including square sets, top slicing, room and pillar, and block caving.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-APR-1974 Miller, Pat J. U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 22-MAY-1986 Kauffman, John D. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Updater 15-MAR-2005 Long, Keith R. U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

Current status (per MSHA)

StatusActive since 12/03/2025
MSHA mine ID1000083
Mine name (MSHA)BUNKER HILL MINE
Current operatorSilver Valley Metals Corp.
Current controller (parent)Bunker Hill Mining Corp
Mine typeUnderground (Metal / non-metal)

Inferred by coordinate + name similarity (446 m, 1.00 match). Confirm against MSHA if precision matters — non-USGS-curated cross-references may occasionally point at a neighbouring mine.

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