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Silver Pick Mine

Past Producer in San Miguel county in Colorado, United States with commodities Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Antimony
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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. Production statistics
  20. Links to other databases
  21. Bibliographic references
  22. General comments
  23. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10014222
MRDS ID D010895
MAS/MILS ID 0081130821
Record type Site
Current site name Silver Pick Mine
Alternate or previous names Patented Claims: Silver Pick, MS 1670, Patented Claims: Gold Pick MS 7275A, Patented Claims: Gold Pick Millsite MS 7275B, Patented Claims: Silent Friend MS 17720, Archean, MS 1671, Tam O'Shanter, MS 9085, Southport, MS 9086, Silver Pick vein

Comments on the site names

  • Anna Wilson determined that the Silver Pick mine consists of 4 patented claims: Silver Pick, Gold Pick, Gold Pick millsite (which is farther north at the base of Silver Pick basin), and Silent Friend. There are 2 Silent Friend claims in the immediate vicinity, the other one is southwest of the main workings over the divide into Dolores County. Removed Bedrock Placer MS 9003 (see pl. 6 of Bull. 1227) from this record. Other named claims in this claim group include Tam o'Shanter, Archean, Southport.

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Main Entrance
Geographic coordinates: -108.0016, 37.86252 (WGS84)
Elevation 3694
Location accuracy 10(meters)
Relative position 11.6 MILES S 62 W FROM TELLURIDE. Adit labeled on GQ-536

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

San Miguel(county)

Colorado(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Dolores Peak(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Dove Creek(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Cortez(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

San Miguel(hydrologic unit)

Upper Colorado-Dolores(hydrologic accounting unit)

Upper Colorado-Dolores(hydrologic subregion)

Upper Colorado(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests(National Forest)

National Forest FS(Type of land area)

FS(Federal land areas administered by FS)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Colorado San Miguel

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
New Mexico 042N 010W 31,32 Colorado

Comments on the location information

  • CLAIMS LIE IN UPPER SILVER PICK BASIN (BEAR CREEK) JUST BELOW AND ALONG DIVIDE BETWEEN SAN MIGUEL AND DOLORES COUNTIES, 0.7 TO 1.2 MILES WSW OF WILSON PEAK. VEIN, CLAIMS, AND WORKINGS EXTEND WEST ONTO DOLORES PEAK (1953) QUAD.

Commodities

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

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Gold Ore
Pyrite Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Tetrahedrite Ore
Barite Gangue
Quartz Gangue
Stibnite Gangue

Analytical data

Result GRADE OF ORE SHIPPED FROM 1882-1898 RAN 2.5 TO 7.1 OZ/TON AU AND 14.1 TO 29.8 OZ/TON AG. SAMPLE OF VEIN MATTER SPILLED FROM AERIAL TRAM CONTAINED 0.88 OZ/TON AU, 6.22 OZ/TON AG, 0.75% CU, 0.10% PB, TRACE ZN. VEIN MATERIAL FROM DUMP OF FOURTH LEVEL CONTAINED 0.02 OZ/TON AU, 0.52 OZ/TON AG, 0.18% CU, 0.12% PB, 1.55% ZN. VEIN MATERIAL FROM DUMP OF SIXTH LEVEL CONTAINED 2.28 OZ/TON AU, 8.52 OZ/TON AG, 0.70% CU, 0.52% PB, TRACE ZN. HIGH-GRADE SAMPLE FROM CAVED PIT ABOVE OLD STOPE CONTAINED 1.0 OZ/TON AU, 13.9 OZ/TON AG, 3.36% CU, 1.20% PB, 1.75% ZN. GRAB SAMPLE FROM DUMP OF SECOND LEVEL CONTAINED 0.16 OZ/TON AU, 0.5 OZ/TON AG, 0.12% CU, 0.1% PB, 0.1% ZN. NASON (1900) REPORTS HIGH-GRADE CRUDE LOTS CONTAINING 80 OZ/TON AU AND 100 OZ/TON AG (SILVER PICK), 35 OZ/TON AU AND 40 OZ/TON AG (ARCHEAN), AND 12 OZ/TON AU AND 14 OZ/TON AG (TAM O'SHANTER).

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 72
USGS model code 19a
Deposit model name Polymetallic replacement
Mark3 model number 47

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Mafic Intrusive Rock > Gabbro
    Rock unit name Wilson Peak Stock--Microgranogabbro;Wilson Peak Stock--Porphyritic Adamellite
    Rock description Wilson Peak Stock--Microgranogabbro;Wilson Peak Stock--Porphyritic Adamellite
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Pliocene
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Pliocene
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Granitoid > Granite
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Mafic Intrusive Rock > Gabbro

Nearby scientific data

Main Entrance (1) -108.0016, 37.86252
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Regional
Structure description Paradox Basin, San Miguel Mtns
Type of structure Local
Structure description Wilson Peak Stock

Ore body information

  • Thickness 0.61M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Generally Ne-Trending Fissure Cutting Intrusive Rocks

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Small
Significant No
Discovery year 1882
Discoverer L.D. Ratliff and others (Claimants)
Year of first production 1882
Year of last production 1961

Mining district

District name Mount Wilson District

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Patented
Type of mineral rights Other

Land status

Ownership category National Forest
Area name Uncompahgre National Forest

Ownership information

  • Type Unknown
    Owner Mount Wilson Gold and Silver Mining Company
    Year 1968
    First year 1883
    Last year 1898
  • Type Operator
    Owner Chastain Brothers
    Home office Terreton, Id.
    First year 1968
  • Type Owner
    Owner Everett Blackburn
    Home office Olathe, Co.
    First year 1968
  • Type Unknown
    Owner Gold Development Co. of Utah
    Year 1968
    First year 1903
    Last year 1909

Production statistics

  • Year 1895
    Description Ap_Grade: ^4.5 Oz/Ton Au, 14.5 Oz/Ton Ag
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Silver Silver 409g/mt
    Major Ore Gold Gold 127g/mt
  • Year 1895
    Description Ap_Grade: ^3.8 Oz/Ton Au, 15.4 Oz/Ton Ag
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Silver Silver 435g/mt
    Major Gold Gold 107g/mt
  • Year 1896
    Description Ap_Grade: ^5.9 Oz/Ton Au, 18.8 Oz/Ton Ag
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Silver Silver 531g/mt
    Major Gold Gold 167g/mt
  • Year 1897
    Description Ap_Grade: ^5.7 Oz/Ton Au, 16.4 Oz/Ton Ag
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Silver Silver 463g/mt
    Major Ore Gold Gold 161g/mt

Comments on the production information

  • PARTIAL PRODUCTION RECORD. EXACT FIGURES UNAVAILABLE FOR 1905, 1908, 1930-1941, AND 1959-1961 (BROMFIELD AND OTHERS, 1971, P. 19 CITE ONLY VALUES). NO PRODUCTION REPORTED FOR 1883-1884, 1886-1888, AND OTHER INTERVENING YEARS. ESTIMATED AU AND AG FIGURES CALCULATED FROM REPORTED GRADES BY BROMFIELD (1967).

Comments on the workings information

  • MINE DEVELOPED ON 8 LEVELS: LEVEL 1 (ELEV 13220) DRIVEN SW ALONG VEIN 430 FT THROUGH TOP OF RIDGE; LEVEL 2 (ELEV 13150) DRIVEN SW FOR 300 FT TO FACE; LEVEL 3 (ELEV 12940) DEVELOPED FOR ABOUT 650 FT ALONG VEIN APPARENTLY OFF CROSSCUT TUNNEL FROM NORTH; LEVEL 4 (ELEV 12780) DRIVEN SW FOR AT LEAST 1000 FT; LEVEL 5 (ELEV 12730) DRIVEN SW FOR 975 FT TO FACE; LEVEL 6 (ELEV 12640) DRIVEN SW FOR 1150 FT TO FACE; LEVEL 7 (ELEV 12530) DRIVEN SW FOR AT LEAST 850 FT WITH 470-FT-LONG SUBLEVEL (ELEV 12575) DEVELOPED OFF RAISE TO LEVEL 6 AT 430 FT FROM PORTAL; LEVEL 8 LIES ABOUT 400 FT BELOW OLDER WORKINGS. PRINCIPAL STOPES WORKED BETWEEN LEVELS 6 AND 2. AERIAL TRAM LED FROM PORTAL OF LEVEL 6 TO MILL SITE ON BEAR CREEK ABOUT 5300 FT TO NNW.

Comments on development

  • SILVER PICK AND ARCHEAN CLAIMS LOCATED IN JULY 1882 BY L.D. RATLIFF AND OTHERS, AND SMALL PRODUCTION THAT YEAR MARKED FIRST MINING ACTIVITY IN DISTRICT. IN 1883, MOUNT WILSON GOLD AND SILVER MINING CO. WORKED MINE AND ADDED OTHER CLAIMS ADJACENT TO SILVER PICK AND ARCHEAN. PRINCIPAL OUTPUT OF MINE OCCURRED FROM 1890-1898. OTHER LESSEES PRODUCED SMALL AMOUNTS OF ORE FROM 1899-1902. GOLD DEVELOPMENT CO. CONTROLLED PROPERTY FROM 1903-1909 AND DROVE LOWER NO. 8 LEVEL TO INTERSECT VEIN BELOW OLDER WORKINGS. SOME HIGH-GRADE ORE AND MILL CLEANUP SHIPPED IN 1930S; SOME CONCENTRATES PRODUCED IN 1946; SOME REHABILITATION IN 1954-1958; DRILLING, EXPLORATION, AND DEVELOPMENT IN LATE 1960S.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    BROMFIELD, C.S., AND OTHERS, 1972, MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE WILSON MOUNTAINS PRIMITIVE AREA, COLORADO: USGS BULL. 1353-A, P. 19, 39, 43-45.

  • Deposit

    BUSH, A.L., AND BROMFIELD, C.S., 1966, GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE DOLORES PEAK QUADRANGLE, DOLORES AND SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES, COLORADO: USGS MAP GQ-536.

  • Deposit

    BROMFIELD, C.S., 1967, GEOLOGY OF THE MOUNT WILSON QUADRANGLE, WESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO: USGS BULL. 1227, P. 89-93.

  • Deposit

    NASON, F.L., 1900, THE GEOLOGY AND VEIN SYSTEMS OF THE MOUNT WILSON MINING DISTRICT, COLORADO: ENG. MINING JOUR., V. 69, P. 681-682.

  • Deposit

    PURINGTON, C.W., 1898, PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE MINING INDUSTRIES OF THE TELLURIDE QUADRANGLE, COLORADO: USGS 18TH ANN. REPT., PT. 3, P. 779, 846-847.

  • Deposit

    COLORADO DIV. MINES INF. REPTS. AND ANNUAL OPERATOR REPTS.

  • Deposit

    BLM MINERAL SURVEYS MS 1670, 1671, 7275A&B, 9033, 9085, 9086

  • Deposit

    SPAULDING, M.B., 1898, THE SILVER PICK, WILSON: COLUMBIA SCHOOL MINES QUART., V. 20, P. 41-47.

  • Production

    BROMFIELD, 1967, USGS Bull. 1227, P. 91 (AS COMPILED FROM COMPANY REPORTS)

  • Deposit

    CDM Summary Annual Report 1966 (from deleted record 10119194)

Comments on the references

  • Reference for Deposit, line 9: "CDM Summary Annual Report 1966" is rom deleted record 10119194.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit ON NORTH FLANK OF WILSON PEAK STOCK, SILVER PICK VEIN TRENDS N 40 TO 60 E, DIPS ABOUT 75 SE, AND CUTS MICROGRANOGABBRO, ADAMELLITE, AND GRANODIORITE, BUT MOST PRODUCTIVE PART CUT MICROGRANOGABBRO. NASON (1900) DESCRIBED NORTH-TRENDING CROSS VEINS THAT CARRIED ONLY PYRITE AND TRACES OF AU AND AG BUT OFFSET SILVER PICK VEIN UP TO SEVERAL FEET; AT FLEXURES, VEIN WIDENED AND CARRIED HIGHER AU AND AG VALUES. PURINGTON (1898, P. 779) WAS UNCERTAIN WHETHER VEIN WAS ACTUALLY FAULTED OR WHETHER IT TURNED LOCALLY TO FOLLOW THE CROSS FRACTURES AND THEN RESUME NE HEADING. VERY-FINE-GRAINED AU ASSOCIATED WITH CHALCOPYRITE AND ARSENOPYRITE.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 15-JUL-1981 Intermountain Field Operations Center (IFOC) U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-OCT-1983 Schwochow, Stephen D. Colorado Geological Survey
Reporter 17-NOV-1983 Intermountain Field Operations Center (IFOC) U.S. Bureau of Mines
Editor 11-JUL-2008 Wilson, Anna B. U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

External references

Maps centered on this site

Authoritative Colorado resources

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