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Rasmussen Ridge Mine

Producer in Caribou county in Idaho, United States with commodities Phosphorus-Phosphates, Fluorine-Fluorite, REE, Uranium, Vanadium
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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. 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. Reserves and resources
  20. Workings at the site
  21. Links to other databases
  22. Bibliographic references
  23. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10216630
MRDS ID W026181
MAS/MILS ID 0160290062
Record type Deposit
Current site name Rasmussen Ridge Mine
Alternate or previous names Rasmussen Ridge, East Slope, Rasmussen Ridge, Southwest Slope

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Pit
Geographic coordinates: -111.39015, 42.87985 (WGS84)
Elevation 2075
Location accuracy 10(meters)
Relative position Point moved to center of open pit part way between north and south ends visible in satellite view June 2009. Pit is about 4 miles long at this time, but looks like it will expand to SE.

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Caribou(county)

Idaho(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Wayan West(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Soda Springs(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Preston(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Blackfoot(hydrologic unit)

Upper Snake(hydrologic accounting unit)

Upper Snake(hydrologic subregion)

Pacific Northwest(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

Caribou-Targhee National Forest(National Forest)

National Forest FS(Type of land area)

FS(Federal land areas administered by FS)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Idaho Caribou

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Boise 006 S 043 E 25,15,22,23,26,16 Idaho

Comments on the location information

  • MINE SITE ALSO IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UPPER VALLEY QUAD; SEC 25 T6S R43E; WAYAN WEST 7.5 MIN. QUAD; SECS 9,10,15,16,22, AND 23, T.65., R 43 E. RASMUSSEN RIDGE SITE IS OWNED BY STAUFFER CHEMICAL COMPANY. UPON ORE DEPLETION AT THE WOOLEY VALLEY MINE (199) STAUFFER WILL BEGIN MINING AT RASMUSSEN RIDGE. LOCATED ON U.S.FOREST SERVICE LANDS.

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Phosphorus-Phosphates Primary
Fluorine-Fluorite Critical Tertiary
REE Critical Tertiary
Uranium Tertiary
Vanadium Critical Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Calcite Unknown
Chalcedony Unknown
Collophane Unknown
Dolomite Unknown
Kaolinite Unknown
Limonite Unknown
Montmorillonite Unknown
Orthoclase Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Quartz Unknown
Sericite Unknown

Analytical data

Result RANDOM SAMPLES RANGE 29 - 34 % P2O5 ( SECTION 26 )
Result 106 SAMPLES FROM STRATIGRAPHIC SECTION GAVE 35.7 % P2O5 MAX ( SECTION 16 )
Result STAUFFER CHEMICAL CO. SAYS UPPER ORE BED AVG. 29 % P2O5 AND LOWER BED ABOUT 26 % P2O5

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 243
USGS model code 34c
Deposit model name Phosphate, upwelling type

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Phosphoria Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Late Permian
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Shale
    Rock type qualifier Phosphatic Shale
    Rock unit name Phosphoria Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Late Permian
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Chemical Sediment > Chert
    Rock unit name Phosphoria Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Late Permian
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Wells Formation
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Limestone
    Rock unit name Wells Formation
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Sandstone
    Rock unit name Wells Formation
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Brazer Limestone
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Limestone
    Rock unit name Brazer Limestone
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Shale
    Rock unit name Brazer Limestone
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Chemical Sediment > Chert
    Rock unit name Brazer Limestone

Nearby scientific data

Pit (1) -111.39015, 42.87985
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Regional
Structure name Snowdrift Anticline

Ore body information

  • Strike N30W
    Dip 40E
    Thickness 13.7M
    Length 5540M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Secondary mode of Origin RESIDUAL CONCENT
    Primary Ore Control BEDDING
    Secondary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip N30W:40E
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 2
    Date of Last Modification 840522
  • Strike N30W
    Dip 40E
    Thickness 13.7M
    Length 7640M
    Depth to top 0M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 3
    MAS Column # 2
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Secondary mode of Origin RESIDUAL CONCENT
    Primary Ore Control BEDDING
    Secondary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip N30W:40E
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 2
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 830316
  • Strike N30W
    Dip 40E
    Thickness 1.5M
    Length 7640M
    Depth to top 0M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 3
    MAS Column # 3
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Secondary mode of Origin RESIDUAL CONCENT
    Primary Ore Control BEDDING
    Secondary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip N30W:40E
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 2
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 830316
  • Strike N30W
    Dip 40E
    Thickness 13.7M
    Length 5540M
    Depth to top 0M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 9
    MAS Column # 4
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Secondary mode of Origin RESIDUAL CONCENT
    Primary Ore Control BEDDING
    Secondary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip N30W:40E
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 2
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 830316
  • Area 130HA
    Field Value
    Total Surface Area (HA) 130
    Date of Last Modification 910418

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Bedding

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Both
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Mining method Open Pit
Milling method Washing

Mining district

District name Blackfoot River District

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Federal Lease
Type of mineral rights Patented

Land status

Ownership category National Forest
Area name Caribou National Forest

Ownership information

  • Type Owner
    Owner U.S. Bureau Of Land Management Lease (Forest Service Land)
    Interest 100
    Year 1984
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Stauffer Chemical Co.
    Interest 100
    Year 1984

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1978
    Measured 14510000mt ore
    Demonstrated 14510000mt ore
    Total resources 14510000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 27 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1978
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1975
    Indicated 18305000mt ore
    Demonstrated 18305000mt ore
    Total resources 18305000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 27.3 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1975
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1975
    Indicated 2009000mt ore
    Demonstrated 2009000mt ore
    Total resources 2009000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 17.1999 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1975
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1975
    Indicated 20314000mt ore
    Demonstrated 20314000mt ore
    Total resources 20314000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 26.1999 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1975

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • GARRAND RESERVES ARE FOR THE FOLLOWING ORE BLOCKS: LANES CREEK NW QUAD: 15D-24D LOWER VALLEY QUAD: 27H-28H UPPER VALLEY QUAD: 8B GRADE OF INDICATED AND INFERRED RESOURCE IS 23% P205.
  • M1=N/CUM MATRIX 1 COLUMN 1 REPRESENTS MEASURED RESERVES AVAILABLE FOR MINING FROM THE SURFACE TO 72MJDOWN-DIP. 90% PROBABILITY. . MATRIX 1 COLUMN 2 REPRESENTS INDICATED RESOURCE FROM 72M TO 288 M DOWN-DIP. 75% PROBABILITY LEVEL. . MATRIX 1 COLUMN 3 REPRESENTS INFERRED RESOURCE FROM 288M TO 504M DOWNDIP. . 72M IS THE DOWN DIP LIMIT OF MINING DETERMINED BY STRIPPING RATIO LIMIT OR POINT WHERE UNALTERED ORE IS ENCOUNTERED AT A LOWER GRADE.
  • STARTED 2 YEARS AGO. 25 YEAR LIFE AT CURRENT RATE FROM 3-93.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 109HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .66
    Percent Waste Rock 81.8
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 2
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 14
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 1745
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 309
    Unit Production Cost 7.25
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 260
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1984

Comments on the workings information

  • 5 PITS WILL TOTAL 20,740 FT IN LENGTH, AVE. 400 FT IN WIDTH, AND BE UP TO 500 FT DEEP

Comments on development

  • 1160 ACRE LEASE ( 1975 )

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    1927 RECON G. R. MANSFIELD, PROF. PAPER 152

  • Geology

    EMIGH, G. D., 1958, PETROGRAPHY, MINERALOGY AND ORIGIN OF PHOSPHATE PELLETS IN THE PHOSPHORIA FORMATION: IDAHO BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, PAMPHLET NO. 114, 60 P.

  • Geology

    MARTIN, G. W., 1958, MINERALOGY OF PHOSPHATE OOLITES: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, V. 53, NO. 8, DECEMBER, P. 1046-1048.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GARRAND, L. J., 1975, PHOSPHATE STUDY SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO, FOR U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CARIBOU NATIONAL FOREST, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONTRACT NO. 50-820: GARRAND CORP.

  • Reserve-Resource

    U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, AND FOREST SERVICE, 1978, FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/ DEVELOPMENT OF PHOSPHATE RESOURCES IN SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO, FOUR VOLUMES.

  • Deposit

    LI, TA M., 1978, SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO PHOSPHATE MINING: HOW AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT DISTORTS GROWTH PLANS: MINING ENGINEERING, V. 30, NO. 1, P. 25-28.

  • Deposit

    CARTER, RUSSELL A., 1978, AN INTEGRATED INDUSTRY - PHOSPHATE MINING AND MILLING IN IDAHO: MINING ENGINEERING, V. 30,

  • Deposit

    RULE, A. R., D. E. KIRBY, AND D. C. DAHLIN, 1978, RECENT ADVANCES IN BENEFICIATION OF WESTERN PHOSPHATES: MINING ENGINEERING, V. 30, NO. 1, P. 37-40.

  • Deposit

    MANSFIELD, G.R., 1927, GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF PART OF SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO: USGS PROF. PAPER 152.

  • Deposit

    MCKELVEY, V.E., 1953B, STRATIGRAPHIC SECTIONS OF THE PHOSPHORIA FORMATION IN IDAHO, 1947-1948, PT. 2: USGS CIRC. 301.

  • Deposit

    DAVIDSON, D.F., 1953, STRATIGRAPHIC SECTIONS OF THE PHOSPHORIA FORMATION IN IDAHO, 1949, PT. 2: USGS CIRC. 305.

  • Deposit

    RIOUX, R.L., 1975, GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE UPPER VALLEY QUAD., CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, USGS MAP GQ-1194.

  • Deposit

    SERVICE, A. L., 1966, AN EVALUATION OF THE WESTERN PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY AND ITS RESOURCES (IN FIVE PARTS), 3. IDAHO: U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS 6801, 201 P.

  • Deposit

    SERVICE, A. L. AND POPOFF, C. C., 1964, AN EVALUATION OF THE WESTERN PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY AND ITS RESOURCES (IN FIVE PARTS), 1. INTRODUCTORY REVIEW: U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS 6485, 86 P.

  • Deposit

    DAY, R. L., 1973, TRENDS IN THE PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY OF IDAHO AND THE WESTERN PHOSPHATE FIELD: IDAHO BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, PAMPHLET 155, 63 P.

  • Deposit

    POWELL, J. D., 1974, EVALUATION OF PHOSPHATE RESOURCES IN SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO: IDAHO BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, INFORMATION CIRCULAR NO. 25, 33 P.

  • Deposit

    SERVICE, A. L., AND PETERSEN, N. S., 1967, AN EVALUATION OF THE WESTERN PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY AND ITS RESOURCES (IN FIVE PARTS) TRENDS AND OUTLOOK: U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS 6935, 131 P.

  • Deposit

    THOMPSON, M. E., 1953, DISTRIBUTION OF URANIUM IN RICH PHOSPHATE BEDS OF THE PHOSPHORIA FORMATION: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 988-D, P. 45-65.

  • Deposit

    THOMPSON, M. E., 1954, FURTHER STUDIES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF URANIUM IN RICH PHOSPHATE BEDS OF THE PHOSPHORIA FORMATION: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1009-D, P. 107-122

  • Deposit

    MC DIVITT, J. F., 1956, ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF PHOSPHATE AND OTHER MINERALS IN SOUTHERN IDAHO: IDAHO BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, PAMPHLET NO. 111, 48 P.

  • Deposit

    KING, D., PERSONAL COMMUNICATION (STAUFFER CHEMICAL CO.) 1984

  • Deposit

    HOVELAND, D., GENERAL PHOSPHATE INFORMATION, 1984.

  • Deposit

    BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, 1974, RASMUSSEN RIDGE MINING AND RECLAMATION PLAN, POCATELLO OFFICE FILE 22P.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 11-OCT-1996 Spear, James M. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-JUN-1976 Siefken, Robert R. (Miller, Pat) U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

Operator history (post-MRDS)

MRDS records operators as of each record's last update (≤ 2019). Some of the operators listed here have since changed hands or dissolved:

  • Stauffer Chemical Co. — dissolved ~1985
    Acquired by Rhône-Poulenc in 1985; agricultural and industrial chemical businesses dispersed through multiple owners over the following two decades.

Curated by qvyshift.com from publicly-reported M&A activity (SEC filings, press releases, USGS Mineral Yearbooks). Not authoritative — verify against primary sources before relying on it. The MSHA panel above is the current authoritative source for actively-permitted mines.

Maps centered on this site