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Lights Creek Copper Deposits

Past Producer in Plumas county in California, United States with commodities Copper, Gold, Silver
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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. Nearby scientific data
  10. Ore body information
  11. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  12. Mining district
  13. Mineral rights holdings
  14. Land status
  15. Ownership information
  16. Production statistics
  17. Reserves and resources
  18. Workings at the site
  19. Links to other databases
  20. Bibliographic references
  21. General comments
  22. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10261965
MRDS ID M020834
MAS/MILS ID 0060630363
Record type Deposit
Current site name Lights Creek Copper Deposits
Alternate or previous names Engles-Superior, Sulfide Ridge, Superior-Engel, Moonlight
Related records 10034127

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -120.78434, 40.21657 (WGS84)
Elevation 1735
Location accuracy 100(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Plumas(county)

California(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Moonlight Peak(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Susanville(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Susanville(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

East Branch North Fork Feather(hydrologic unit)

Lower Sacramento(hydrologic accounting unit)

Sacramento(hydrologic subregion)

California(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

Plumas 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 California Plumas

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Mount Diablo 027 N 011 E 07 SWNE California

Comments on the location information

  • Part Of Property Is Located In Sec 17.

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Silver Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Actinolite Unknown
Apatite Unknown
Azurite Unknown
Bornite Unknown
Calcite Unknown
Chalcocite Unknown
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Chlorite Unknown
Chrysocolla Unknown
Copper Unknown
Covellite Unknown
Dolomite Unknown
Epidote Unknown
Galena Unknown
Limonite Unknown
Magnesite Unknown
Magnetite Unknown
Malachite Unknown
Mica Unknown
Molybdenite Unknown
Orthoclase Unknown
Plagioclase Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Pyrrhotite Unknown
Quartz Unknown
Schorlite Unknown
Sericite Unknown
Siderite Unknown
Sphalerite Unknown
Tennantite Unknown
Tetrahedrite Unknown

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 53
USGS model code 17
Deposit model name Porphyry Cu
Mark3 model number 4

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -120.78434, 40.21657
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Thickness 180M
    Length 1740M
    Width 840M
    Depth to top 1M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 FISSURE VEIN
    Primary mode of Origin OTHER
    Secondary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 POTASSIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 1
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 830316
  • Thickness 240M
    Length 1500M
    Width 1500M
    Depth to top 1M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 2
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 FISSURE VEIN
    Primary mode of Origin OTHER
    Secondary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 POTASSIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 1
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 830316
  • Area 840HA
    Field Value
    Total Surface Area (HA) 840
    Date of Last Modification 910418

Comments on the geologic information

  • Mafics Represent 11.00 Vol.Pct. Metallics Represents 3.30 Vol.Pct. Order Of Importance:Chalcopyrite,Bornite,Covelite,Chalcocite Malachite,Azurite,Chrysocolla And Native Copper. Primary Gangue Minerals In Order Of Abundance:Magnetite, Hematite,Pyrite Minor Minerals-Pyrrhotite,Molybdenite,Sphalerite,Galena, Siderite,Dolomite,Calcite,Epidote,Chlorite,Actinolite Minor Minerals:Pyrrhotite,Molybdenite,Sphalerite,Galena Tetrahedrite,Tennanite,Luzonite. Minor Oxidation Minerals-Limonite,Manganese Oxides,Malachite Azurite,Chrysocholla,Native Copper.
  • Ori-1-Other Is Late Pneumatolyytic. Geo-1 Other Is Tourmalene. Description Relates To All Matricies.
  • Record 1 L-Gaf Ranges From Lower Cretaceous To Lower Eocene. Other Def Is Hydrothermal Following Fracturing And Magmatic During Emplacement. Lr Line 4 Record 1 Is Porphory Deposit.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface-Underground
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1880
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1914
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Lights Creek

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Located Claim
Type of mineral rights Patented
Type of mineral rights Private Lease

Land status

Ownership category National Forest

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Placer Amex
    Interest 100
    Home office California
    Year 1978
  • Type Lessor
    Owner California-Engels Mining Co
    Interest 0
    Home office Greenville, CA
    Year 2009
  • Type Lessee/Operator
    Owner Starfield Resources Inc
    Interest 100
    Home office Toronto, Canada
    Year 2009

Production statistics

  • Year 1962
    Period 1915-1962
    Description Prod.1915-62, 2pctcu: Conc.28.8 Pct.Cu. 4300000 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Copper Copper 4300000mt 29wt-pct

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 2008
    Reserves 318000000mt
    Remarks Singer 2008 Reference
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.54 wt-pct Copper Primary 2008
    Gold Au 0.05 g/mt Gold Secondary 2008
    Silver Ag 3.2 g/mt Silver Secondary 2008
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1972
    Reserves 160000000mt
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1978
    Reserves 350000000
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.34 wt-pct Copper Primary 1978
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1976
    Measured 227000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 227000000mt ore
    Total resources 227000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.35 wt-pct Copper Major 1976
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1976
    Measured 91000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 91000000mt ore
    Total resources 91000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.33 wt-pct Copper Major 1976

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • Lights Creek - Moonlight And Superior Ore Bodies.
  • Matrix 1 Column 1-P90=Company Data On Moonlight Deposits. Matrix 2 Column 1-P90=Company Data On Superior Deposits. Matrix 3 Column 1-Company Data On Grade No Reserves Est.For Sulfide Ridge M3=Q/Unk Surface And Underground Resources Of The Engels Mine Non-Cumulative
  • Reserve data 1972: About 330,000,000 tonnes material with about 0.3% Cu at a lower cut-off grade.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 200HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .65
    Percent Waste Rock 73
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 0
    Primary Material Cover SAND, SILT
    Percentage 40
    Secondary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 30
    Tertiary Material Cover HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 30
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 23000
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 648
    Unit Production Cost 2.34
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1978
  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 100HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .65
    Percent Waste Rock 55
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 23000
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 648
    Unit Production Cost 1.64
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1978

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    Storey, L.O., 1978, Geology and mineralization of the Lights Creek Stock, Plumas County, California; Arizona Geological Society Digest, Volume 11, p. 49-58.

  • General

    Singer and others, (2008), Sheffield Resources Ltd. (2006)

  • Reserve-Resource

    Anon.,1976,Porphyry Prospectors Learn How To Find Big Bodies At Arizona Geology Symposium. World Mining. V.29,No.6.,Pp.44-45

  • Deposit

    Evernden, J.F. and Kistler, R.W., 1970, Chronology of emplacement of Mesozoic batholithic complexes in California and western Nevada; United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper 623, 42 p.

  • Deposit

    Amex, 1972

  • Deposit

    Anderson,C.A.,1931.The Geology Of The Engles And Superior Mines, Plumas County, Calif.:Univ.Of Calif.,Dept. Of Geol.Sci.Bulletin,V.20,1931, Pp.293-330.

  • Deposit

    California Division Of Mines And Geology,1960 Geologic Map Of Calif. Westwood Sheet.

  • Deposit

    Diller,J.S.,1903,Geology Of The Talorsville Region,Ca. Westwood Sheet,1960

  • Deposit

    Gentry.G.G.,1952,Dmea Rept 2161. Englemine,Plumas County, California; Us.Bumines 12p.

  • Deposit

    Ingco.G,1974, Situation Rept-Lights Creek Copper Mine: U.S. Forest Service,Greenville Ranger District, Plumas National Forest 71p.

  • Deposit

    Knopf,A.,And Anderson,C.A.,1930,The Engels Copper Deposits, Calif. Econ Geol. V.25 P.14-35.

  • Deposit

    Macboyle,E.,1918,Mines And Mineral Resources Of Plumas Co. Calif.Div.Of Mines And Geol.,16th Rept Of The State Minerologist,P.31-36 And 55-59.

  • Deposit

    Moore,L.1970, The Engels Copper Deposit;U.S.Bumines Unpub Report.

  • Deposit

    Nelson,W.I.,1930,Mining Methods And Costs At The Engles Mine Plumas County,Ca.;Us Bumines Ic 6260, 23p.

  • Deposit

    Putman,G.W.,1972,Basic Metal Distribution In Granitic Rks; Data From The Lights Creek And Rocky Hill Stocks,Cal. Econ.Geol.V.67, P.511-527.

  • Deposit

    Putman,G.W.,1975,Basic Metal Distribution In Granitic Rocks Three Dimensional Variation In The Lights Creek Stock Cal; Econ.Geol,V.70, P.1225-1241.

  • Deposit

    Smith,A.R.,1970,Trace Elements In The Plumas Copper Belt, Plumas County,Calif. Calif.Divv.Of Mines And Geol. Special Report 103, 26p.

  • Deposit

    Storey,L.O.,1976,Geology And Mineralization Of The Lights Creek Stock,,Plumas County,Calif.Paper Given At The Porphyry Copper Symposium,Tuscon,Ariz, 1976,17p.

  • Deposit

    Hillman,C.T., And Schumacher, O., Lights Creek Copper Deposit Plumas County, Calif., U.S.Bumines Mas Deposit Report, 1978 40 P.

  • Deposit

    Averill,C.V.,1928,Mining Activity In Plumas County. Calif.Div.Mines And Geol.24th Rept.Fo The State Minerol P.271-278

  • Deposit

    Nelson,W.I.,1932,Mining Methods And Costs At The Superior Concentrator Of The Engles Copper Mining Co.,Plumas Co. Calif.Bumines Jc6550,.23p.

  • Deposit

    Storey,L.O.,1977,Written Comm.Sr.Geol.Placer Amex.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit 1985 Update. No Activity At Mine In Recent Years. John Burnett, Ca Div Mines & Geol. June, 1985.
Deposit Associated Minerals: actinolite, azurite/malachite, bornite, carbonate, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, chlorite, chrysocolla, copper, covellite, epidote, galena, hematite, jamesonite, limonite, magnetite, molybdenite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, sericite, sphalerite, stibnite, tetrahedrite/tennantite, tourmaline
Deposit Associated Rocks: aplite;granite porphyry, quartz porphyry, serpentinite ;andesite, agglomerate, alaskite, basalt, gabbro, granite, granodiorite, metasedimentary rocks, metavolcanic rocks, quartz diorite, quartz monzonite, schist

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 25-SEP-1996 Hillman U.S. Bureau of Mines
Updater 27-JAN-2010 Anderson, Claire 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

Authoritative California resources

These are landing pages for further research — the state agencies don't currently expose per-mine deep links.