1. Mineral Resources
  2. Online Spatial Data
  3. Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS)

Mount Tolman

Past Producer in Ferry county in Washington, United States with commodities Copper, Molybdenum, Silver, Lead, Titanium
Map
XML
JSON
KML
B
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. Host and associated rocks
  9. Nearby scientific data
  10. Ore body information
  11. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  12. Mining district
  13. Mineral rights holdings
  14. Reserves and resources
  15. Workings at the site
  16. Links to other databases
  17. Bibliographic references
  18. General comments
  19. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10155557
MRDS ID M056148
MAS/MILS ID 0530190043
Record type Deposit
Current site name Mount Tolman
Alternate or previous names Tolman Mt. Mine, Bear Cr Mining Co, Belcher, Byrne, Meadow Creek

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -118.7054, 48.0475 (WGS84)
Elevation 1080
Location accuracy 10(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Ferry(county)

Washington(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Keller(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Nespelem(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Okanogan(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Sanpoil(hydrologic unit)

Upper Columbia(hydrologic accounting unit)

Upper Columbia(hydrologic subregion)

Pacific Northwest(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

BIA(Federal land areas administered by BIA)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Washington Ferry

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Willamette 030 N 033 E 31 C NESW Washington

Comments on the location information

  • Derkey and others (1990, p. 68) secs. 31 and 32, 30N, 33E; N1/2 sec. 5 and NE1/4 sec. 6, 29N, 33E

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Molybdenum Primary
Silver Tertiary
Lead Tertiary
Titanium Critical Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcocite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Copper Ore
Galena Ore
Malachite Ore
Molybdenite Ore
Rutile Ore
Scheelite Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Wolframite Ore
Anhydrite Gangue
Calcite Gangue
Chlorite Gangue
Epidote Gangue
Fluorite Gangue
Garnet Gangue
Gypsum Gangue
Kaolinite Gangue
Laumontite Gangue
Limonite Gangue
Magnetite Gangue
Muscovite Gangue
Pyrite Gangue
Quartz Gangue
Rhodochrosite Gangue
Sericite Gangue
Stilbite Gangue
Topaz Gangue

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Mafic Intrusive Rock > Diorite
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic) > Felsic Volcanic Rock > Rhyolite

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -118.7054, 48.0475
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Thickness 800M
    Length 4400M
    Width 1950M
    Area 1500HA
    Depth to top 190M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 STOCKWORK
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 FISSURE VEIN
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SILICIFICATION
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 SERICITIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 2
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 10
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 2
    Total Surface Area (HA) 1500
    Date of Last Modification 830316

Comments on the ore body information

  • Derkey and others (1990, p. 68) The Mount Tolman deposit is 1 mi wide in a north-south direction, 2 mi long, and 1,200 ft thick. During crystallization of the last phase of the interior zone of the host quartz porphyry, a minimum of five periods of fracturing and concurrent mineralization took place. Each period affected the same rocks, and each episode of mineralization added to the distinctive vertical zonation: quartz with molybdenite predominate in the center, while chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite increase away from the core. Post-stockwork veins surrounding the Mount Tolman deposit cut the molybdenite-bearing fractures. These veins contain galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite. Drilling, underground exploration, and bulk sampling have outlined proven and probable reserves of 2.4 billion tons of ore with an average grade of 0.093% MoS2 and 0.09% Cu; the cutoff grade used was 0.048% MoS2. Metallurgical testing resulted in recoveries of 85% of the molybdenite and 80% of the chalcopyrite. The deposit represents a recoverable reserve of 1.9 million tons of MoS2 and 1.73 million tons of copper. A mine plan designed by AMAX would have recovered 727,260 tons of MoS2 and 662,400 tons of copper. The AMAX plan was based on mining approximately 900 million tons of ore averaging 0.10% MoS2 and 0.09% Cu and a waste to ore ratio of 0.83:1. This ranks the Mount Tolman deposit as the third or fourth largest molybdenum deposits in the world after Climax and Quartz Hill. Whole-rock analyses indicate the Mount Tolman rocks contain 0.3-0.5% TiO2, and if recoverable, the deposit could produce titanium.

Comments on the geologic information

  • Derkey and others (1990, p. 68) The Mount Tolman deposit is in the Paleocene-Eocene Keller Butte pluton. Post-ore faults displaced the deposit and resulted in ore dilution. These faults strike N65W, N20E, N45E, and N35E. Post ore dikes strike N60-75E and have steep northwest to vertical dips. Post ore faulting and dike activity is probably related to development of the Republic graben.
  • Derkey and others (1990, p. 68) The Keller Butte pluton, which hosts the Mount Tolman deposit, is situated on the northwest projection of the N65-80W-trending Lewis and Clark structure (Osborn fault in Idaho). Foliation and mineral grains in the pluton trend N65-75W. Emplacement of the multi-phased pluton in this N65-80W trend resulted in the Cu-Mo deposit being elongate N68W.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1912

Comments on exploration

  • FINAL EIS APPROVAL IS CRITICAL AND IS EXPECTED BY ABOUT 03-81

Mining district

District name Keller

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership
Type of mineral rights Private Lease

Comments on the production information

  • Derkey and others (1990, p. 68) There was an unknown amount of Pb, Cu, and Ag production from the Meadow Creek (Mount Tolman) mine in 1935 and 1936. The Golden Cord and the Ophir mines also produced, but no records are available.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1990
    Reserves 2147483647mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum MoS2 0.093 wt-pct Molybdenum Primary 1990
    Copper Cu 0.09 wt-pct Copper Primary 1990
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1980
    Measured 816000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 816000000mt ore
    Inferred 200000000mt ore
    Total resources 1016000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum MoS2 0.1 wt-pct Molybdenum Major 1980
    Copper Cu 0.09 wt-pct Copper Major 1980

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • OPERATOR: AMAX. AMAX 1978 10K, P5.FORMERLY LISTED UNDER 0530190420A. AMAX RETURNED CONTROL TO THE COLVILLE TRIBES IN 1983-1985 FOLLOWING AN EVALUATION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY (VERIFY RETURN DATE WITH AMAX).CONTACT AMAX,INC. OR THE COLVILLE FEDERATED TRIBES FOR A COPY OF THE STUDY.IN E.I.S. AMAX ADVISES 900 MILLION MT ORE, 0.06%MO (MEASURED) RESERVES, 0.05% CUTOFF.
  • MEASURED RESERVES BASED ON GRID DRILLING ON 61 METER CENTERS

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 252HA

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    BABBY, WYMAN D., 1979, SCOPING DOCUMENT FOR THE MT TOLMAN MINING PROJECT: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR-BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS MEMORANDUM, 13 PP.

  • Deposit

    Derkey, R.E., Joseph, N.L., and Lasmanis, Raymond, 1990, Metal mines of Washington - preliminary report: Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources Open File Report 90-18, 577 p.

  • Deposit

    COLVILLE CONFEDERATED TRIBES GEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, 1984, REVISED GEOLOGY AND MINERAL POTENTIAL OF THE COLVILLE INDIAN RESERVATION, WASHINGTON, 1984: COLVILLE CONFEDERATED TRIBES [NESPELEM, WASH.], 2 V.

  • Deposit

    SPOKESMAN REVIEW, 1980, MT. TOLMAN-COLVILLE TRIBES DEBATE HERITAGE VS. EXPLOITATION: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, FEBRUARY 3, 1980.

  • Deposit

    HUNTTING, M. T., 1956, INVENTORY OF WASHINGTON MINERALS-PART II, METALLIC MINERALS: WASHINGTON DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY BULLETIN 37, V. 1, 428 P.; V. 2, 67 P.

  • Deposit

    PARDEE, J.T., 1918, GEOLOGY AND MINERAL DEPOSITS OF THE COLVILLE INDIAN RESERVATION, WASHINGTON: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 677, 186 P., 1 PL.

  • Production

    STILLAR, S.S., 1980 MOUNT TOLMAN PROPOSED METALLURGICAL FLOW SHEET AND DESCRIPTION: AMAX COMPANY REPORT, 13 P.

  • Geology

    UTTERBACK, WM C., 1980, GEOLOGY OF THE MOUNT TOLMAN DEPOSIT: AMAX CORPORATION PRIVATE COMPANY REPORT, P. 2-8.

  • Reserve-Resource

    AMAX CORPORATION, 1980, FACT SHEET: PUBLIC RELATIONS BROCHURE, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    CALDWELL, J.A., 1980, TAILINGS IMPOUNDMENTS, GENERAL DESIGN, OPERATING, AND ABANDONMENT PROPOSALS: ROBERTSON-PINCOCK INC., PRIVATE COMPANY REPORT PREPARED FOR AMAX CORP. P. 3-6,7, 6-1,2, 8-8,10.

  • Deposit

    STANFORD, W., 1980, ENGINEERING MANAGER, AMAX CORPORATION: PERSONAL COMMUNICATION.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit CU AVAILABILITY TIED DIRECTLY TO MOLYBDENUM ECONOMICS. GUARRANTEE OF POWER AVAILABILITY FROM BONNEVILLE POWER ADMIN. IS CRITICAL TO PROJECT;CURRENTLY BEING NEGOTIATE MILS LOCATION-TOP OF MT.TOLMAN IS 2130 M WEST OF PIT CENTER. FIVE YEAR MINE PLAN MAPS AVAILABLE IN FILE REPORTS. 1985 UPDATE. ACTIVE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT WAS TERMIN- ATED IN 1982 WHEN AMAX AND THE COLVILLE CONFEDERATED TRIBES COULD NOT AGREE ON A MINE STARTUP DATE. THE PROPERTY IS REPORTEDLY UP FOR LEASE.
General Derkey and others (1990, p. 69) The Mount Tolman deposit is owned (1990) by the Colville Confederated Tribes. Prior to tribal acquisition of the land, numerous mines were developed in search of silver ore. Mine adits were driven by: Consolidated Mines and Smelting Co., Ltd. (adits include the Iconoclast, Golden Cord, Advance, Silver Ridge, California, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Jumper, Handspike, and Dewey); the Meadow Creek mine (adits include the Blue Bird, Abe Lincoln, King Richard, Blevins, and Sanpoil); the Rover-Bonanza group (adits include the Golden Rule, Golden Chariot, and North Star); and also the adits Bobbie Jay, Josie, Ophir, Byrne, Addie B, Humboldt, Pole Pick, and adits by Illinois Copper and Silver Mining and Milling Co. Bear Creek Mining Co. leased the property from the Colville Business Council in July of 1964. From 1964 to 1976 Bear Creek completed 45,000 ft of drilling and drove a 650-ft adit at elev. 3,000 ft. AMAX Exploration, Inc. signed an agreement in 1978 and undertook a major 2-year development program. They completed 386,827 ft of drilling, three adits totaling 2,160 ft, and metallurgical testing. Drilling costs alone from August 18, 1978 to December 1980 were $10,167,739. AMAX terminated its lease in 1982.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 25-SEP-96 Buckingham, David A. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-JAN-91 Berger, Mary A. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-AUG-92 Frank, Dave U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 01-JUN-74 Greene, Robert U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

Maps centered on this site