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Vernal Mine

Producer in Uintah county in Utah, United States with commodities Phosphorus-Phosphates, Uranium, Vanadium, Fluorine-Fluorite
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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. Ore body information
  12. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  13. Mining district
  14. Mineral rights holdings
  15. Land status
  16. Ownership information
  17. Production statistics
  18. Reserves and resources
  19. Workings at the site
  20. Links to other databases
  21. Bibliographic references
  22. General comments
  23. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10252268
MRDS ID ISM0346
MAS/MILS ID 0490470028
Record type Site
Current site name Vernal Mine

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -109.5017, 40.6125 (WGS84)
Elevation 1829
Location accuracy 100(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Uintah(county)

Utah(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Steinaker Reservoir(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Dutch John(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Vernal(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Lower Green(hydrologic accounting unit)

Lower Green(hydrologic subregion)

Upper Colorado(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Utah Uintah

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Salt Lake 002 S 022 E 31 C Utah

Commodities

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

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Collophane Unknown

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 Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Limestone
    Rock unit name Park City Formation

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -109.5017, 40.6125
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike S70W
    Dip 07S
    Thickness 6.1M
    Length 15000M
    Width 4000M
    Area 4200HA
    Depth to top 11.3M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Primary Ore Control BEDDING
    Secondary Ore Control FOLDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip S70W:07S
    Minimum Depth to Top 10.7
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. .4
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 890726

Comments on the geologic information

  • From old MRDS record (ISM0346): TECTONIC, WEATHERING; CRET HOLO; COLLOPHANE, QUARTZ, ILLITE, GYPSUM; SEE: UINTA MOUNTAINS, CRAWFORD MOUNTAINS, WASATCH RANGE. DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSIT: 15 BY 4 KM, MAX. THICKNESS 15 M, AVERAGE THICKNESS 6.1 M, DIP 8 TO 10 DEG.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Both
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1915
Mining method Strip-Hillside
Year of first production 1961
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Western Phosphate

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner J. R Simplot
    ID 4200998
    Interest 50
    Home office Idaho
    Year 1993
  • Type Owner
    Owner Farmland Industries
    ID 4200998
    Interest 50
    Home office Missouri
    Year 1993
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Standard Oil Of California (Chevron), (Former Owner: Stauffer Chemical Co.)

Production statistics

  • Year 1961
    Description Ore 20% P205 (Est.), Conc. 31.0% P205 160631 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 160631mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1962
    Description Ore 20% P205 (Est.), Conc. 31.0% P205 176266 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 176266mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1963
    Description Ore 20% P205 (Est.), Conc. 31.1% P205 133880 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 133880mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1964
    Description Ore 20.0% P205, Conc. 31.2% P 205 111664 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 111664mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1965
    Description Ore 20.0% P205, Conc. 31.0% P205. 164064 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 164064mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1966
    Description Ore 20.2% P205, Conc. 31.2% P205 233719 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 233719mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1967
    Description Ore 20.0% P205, Conc. 31.6% P205. 200616 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 200616mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1968
    Description Ore 21.0% P205, Conc. 32.3% P205 41907 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 41907mt 21wt-pct
  • Year 1969
    Description Ore 21.0% P205, Conc. 32.0% P205 122292 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 122292mt 21wt-pct
  • Year 1970
    Description Ore 21.0% P205, Conc. 32.1% P 205 245083 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 245083mt 21wt-pct
  • Year 1971
    Description Ore 21.5% P205, Conc. 31.5% P205 256739 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 256739mt 22wt-pct
  • Year 1972
    Description Ore 21.5% P205 (Est), Conc. 31.5% P205 256255 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 256255mt 22wt-pct
  • Year 1973
    Description Ore 21.5% P205, Conc. 31.9% P205 248377 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 248377mt 22wt-pct
  • Year 1974
    Description Ore 21.8% P205, Conc. 31.5% P205 301903 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 301903mt 22wt-pct
  • Year 1975
    Description Ore 20.0% P205, Conc. 31.0% P205 363923 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 363923mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1976
    Description Ore 20.3% P205, Conc. 31.0% P205 347233 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 347233mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1977
    Description Ore 20.3% P205, Conc. 31.0% P205 344947 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 344947mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1978
    Description Ore 20.3% P205, Conc. 31.0% P205 308085 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 308085mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1979
    Description Ore 20.3% P205, Conc. 31.0% P205 357377 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 357377mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1980
    Description Ore 19.5% P2o5, Conc. 31.0% P2o5 354131 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 254131mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1981
    Description Ore 20.2% P2o5, Conc. 31.2% P2o5 381083 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 381083mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1982
    Description Ore 19.9% P2o5, Conc. 31.5% P2o5 335658 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 335658mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1983
    Description Ore 25.2% P205, Conc. 31.4% P205 490878 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 490878mt 25wt-pct
  • Year 1984
    Description Ore 20.3% P205, Conc. 31.5% P205 463934 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 463934mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1985
    Description Ore 20.6% P205, Conc. 31.5% P205 408596 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 408596mt 21wt-pct
  • Year 1986
    Description Ore 20.6% P205, Conc. 31.5% P205 436447 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 436447mt 21wt-pct
  • Year 1987
    Description Ore At 20% P2o5, Conc. 31.3% P2o5 637762 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 637762mt 20wt-pct
  • Year 1988
    Description Ore At 20% P2o5, Conc. 31.3% P2o5 724853 Metric Tons Conc.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major P2O5 Ore Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 724853mt 20wt-pct

Comments on the production information

  • ACTUAL OUTPUT IS 3,304.18 MT/DAY OF CONCENTRATE AT 31.3%.
  • ACTUAL MGO RECOVERY IS 13.4 PERCENT.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1967
    Total resources 454000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 16 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1967
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1966
    Total resources 635000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 18 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1966
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1966
    Total resources 640000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 20 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1966

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • RHODES, J.A. 1976, REVIEW OF WESTERN PHOSPHATE FIELD. MONT. BUR. OF MINES & GEOL. SPECIAL PUB. 74, P. 61-67. SERVICE, A.L., 1967, HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY IN SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO, INTERMOUNTAIN ASSOC. OF GEOL. 15TH ANNUAL FIELD CONF., P. 173-185. GRADE OBTAINED FROM COMPANY AT TIME OF PROPERTY VISIT ON MARCH 14, 1989.
  • 1984 UPDATE DID INCLUDE PLANNED EXPANSION, BUT SINCE THAT TIME CHANGES TO THOSE PLANS HAVE OCCURRED. EXPANSION NOW COMPLETE SO ANY NEW UPDATE WOULD REFLECT THE NEW OPERATING CONDITIONS.
  • SOURCE FOR LISTS RANGE OF GRADE 16-22%

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 4150HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method STRIP-HILLSIDE
    Swell Factor .59
    Percent Waste Rock 62.7
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 11
    Primary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 11
    Capacity 6895
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 2.23
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 250
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1989

Comments on the workings information

  • WEST. PHOSPHATE = WESTERN PHOSPHATE FIELD

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, 1975, FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT, AUTHORIZED JENSEN UNIT, CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT, UTAH.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, JANUARY 1989, P. 45

  • Deposit

    BRITISH SULPHUR CORP. LTD., 1980: WORLD SURVEY OF PHOSPHATE DEPOSITS, 4TH ED., LONDON

  • Geology

    CHENEY, T. M., 1957, PHOSPHATE IN UTAH: UTAH GEOL. AND MINERALOG. SURVEY BULL. 59, 54 P., 3 PLATES.

  • Deposit

    INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, NO.161, FEB. 1981, P.19, LONDON

  • Geology

    KINNEY, D. M., 1955, GEOLOGY OF THE UINTA RIVER, BRUSH CREEK MINERALOG. SURVEY BULL. 59, 54 P., 3 PLATES.

  • Geology

    SURVEY BULL. 1007, 185 P., PLATES.

  • Geology

    KINNEY, D. M., 1957, GEOLOGY OF THE UINTA RIVER AND BRUSH CREEK-DIAMOND MOUNTAIN AREAS, DUCHESNE AND UINTAH COUNTIES, UTAH: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OIL AND GAS INV. MAP OM-123.

  • Geology

    PRUITT, R. G., JR., 1961, PHOSPHATE, IN MINERAL RESOURCES OF UINTAH COUNTY: UTAH GEOL. AND MINERALOG. SURVEY BULL. 71, P 74-87.

  • Geology

    SCHELL, E. M., AND DYNI, J. R., 1973, PRELIMINARY GEOLOGIC STRIP MAPS OF THE PARK CITY AND PHOSPHORIA FORMATIONS, VERNAL PHOSPHATE AREA, UINTAH COUNTY, UTAH: U.S. GEOL. SURVEY OPEN FILE REPT. 73-248, 8 SHEETS.

  • Geology

    SCHULTZ, A. R., 1919, A GEOLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE UINTA MOUNTAINS, NORTHERN UTAH, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PHOSPHATE, IN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, 1918, PART I: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 690, P. 31-94, PLATE.

  • Geology

    UNTERMANN, G. E., UNTERMANN, B. R., AND KINNEY, D. M., 1964, GEOLOGY OF UINTAH COUNTY: UTAH GEOL. AND MINERALOG. SURVEY BULL. 72, 2 PLATES.

  • Geology

    U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 1954, VERNAL, UTAH; COLORADO, 1-DEGREE BY 2-DEGREE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP: U.S. GEOL. SURVEY, 1:250,000-SCALE MAP, 1 SHEET.

  • Deposit

    STAUFFER CHEMICAL COMPANY, 1962-1979, ANNUAL REPORTS FOR 1961-67, 1973, 1974, 1978.

  • Deposit

    1961-67, 1973, 1974, 1978.

  • Deposit

    U.S. BUREAU OF MINES. COMPILATION OF PROPRIETARY, INDIVIDUAL COMPANY, PRODUCTION STATISTICS (FOR THE YEARS 1983 THROUGH 1986).

  • Ownership

    SCHUMACHER, O. L., PENSE, R. A., AND DAVIS, R. B., 1979, FEDERAL LAND STATUS IN THE OVERTHRUST BELT OF IDAHO, MONTANA, UTAH, AND WYOMING, 1979: U.S. BUREAU OF MINES SPECIAL REPT. (IN PRESS), TEXT WITH MAPS AND OVERLAYS.

  • Ownership

    U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, 1973, STATE OF UTAH LAND OWNERSHIP AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT, BASIN - H: U.S. BUR. LAND MANAGEMENT MAP, 1:250,000 SCALE, 1 SHEET.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RHODES, J.A. 1976, REVIEW OF THE WESTERN PHOSPHATE FIELD, MONT. BUR. OF MINES & GEOL. SPECIAL PUB. 74, P. 61-67.

  • Reserve-Resource

    SERVICE,A.L., 1967, HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY IN SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO, IN INTERMOUNTAIN ASSOC. OF GEOL. 15TH ANN. FIELD CONF., P.173-185.

  • Reserve-Resource

    COFFMAN, J. S., SERVICE, A. L., 1967, RI6934, AN EVALUATION OF THE WESTERN PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY AND ITS RESOURCE, PART 4, WYOMING & UTAH, P-136

  • Reserve-Resource

    GERE, W. C., 1964, PHOSPHATE, IN MINERAL AND WATER RESOURCES OF UTAH: UTAH GEOL. AND MINERALOG. SURVEY BULL. 73, P. 195-205.

  • Reserve-Resource

    WILLIAMS, J. S., 1942, PHOSPHATE IN UTAH: UTAH AGR. EXPT. STA. BULL. 290, 44 P.

  • Reserve-Resource

    WILLIAMS, J. S., 1969, THE PERMIAN SYSTEM IN THE UINTA MOUNTAIN AREA, IN INTERMOUNTAIN ASSOC. OF GEOL. 16TH ANN. FIELD CONF. GUIDEBOOK, P. 153-168.

  • Reserve-Resource

    BEALL, J. V., AND MERRITT, P. C., 1966, PHOSPHATE AND POTASH - MINERALS TO FEED THE WORLD: MIN. ENG., OCT. 1966, P. 75-99.

  • Reserve-Resource

    CHEVRON CORPORATION, SUPPLEMENT TO THE 1988 ANNUAL REPORT, PAGE 59.

  • Workings

    DAY, R. L., 1973, TRENDS IN THE PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY OF IDAHO AND THE WESTERN PHOSPHATE FIELD: IDAHO BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOL. PAMPHLET 155, 63 P., 1 PLATE.

  • Workings

    KING, D. L., JR., 1964, SAN FRANCISCO PHOSPHATE DEPOSIT IN THE UINTA BASIN, IN INTERMOUNTAIN ASSOC. OF PETROLEUM GEOL. 13TH ANN. FIELD CONF., P. 259-263.

  • Deposit

    MESA MET-NONMET MINE FILE REF OWN/OP: STAUFFER CHEMICAL

  • Deposit

    EMJ MINE DIRECTORY 75 ORE CAPACITY 300 TPD FLOT MILL 2000 T EMPL 60 1975

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit VERNAL MINE PROPERTY INCLUDES 5,990 HECTARES OF LAND IN T2S, R21E AND R22E EXTENDING APPROX 14 KM IN THE EAST-WEST DIRECTION AND 7 KM IN THE NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION. THE BENEFICIATION PLANT IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH EDGE OF THE PROPERTY. DOMAIN - THE VERNAL MINE IS LOCATED ON 92 PATENTED CLAIMS. THE PROPERTY ALSO INCLUDES FEE OWNERSHIP LAND.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 28-JUL-97 Buckingham, David A. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Updater 15-DEC-10 Causey, J. Douglas U.S. Geological Survey Added Model and made few other minor changes. Consolidated info from Dep_ID 10024621 and 10085090 and deleted those records.
Reporter 01-JAN-83 Saam, Henning, G. Bundesanstalt Fuer Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffee (Germany)
Reporter 01-AUG-89 Beougher, Dee (Spanski, Gregory T.) 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 04/02/1992
MSHA mine ID4200998
Mine name (MSHA)Vernal Pit & Mill
Current operatorSimplot Phosphates LLC
Current controller (parent)Scott Simplot
Mine typeFacility (Metal / non-metal)

MSHA cross-reference per the original MRDS record. Mine status and operator reflect MSHA's last published Mines export (February 2025); MSHA's public bulk feed has been unavailable since, so this may be out of date. See the Mine Data Retrieval System for current status.

Open MSHA's Mine Data Retrieval System for inspections, accidents, and violations for this mine.

External references

Maps centered on this site