| Deposit ID | 10197229 |
|---|---|
| MRDS ID | M054731 |
| MAS/MILS ID | 320130259 |
| Record type | Site |
| Mineralized Area | Opalite District |
| Current site name | McDermitt Mine |
| Alternate or previous names | Mcdermitt Mine |
| Related records | 10040100 |
| Point of reference | Trench |
|---|---|
| Geographic coordinates: | -117.812, 41.919 (WGS84) |
| Elevation | 1402 |
| Location accuracy | 100(meters) |
| Relative position | 1/2 MILE N OF OLD CORDERO MINE, 5 MI S OF OREGON BORDER. Coordinates are for near the center of the open pit at the common corner of Sections 27, 28, 33, and 34. Mine workings visible on satellite imagery and topo map. |
Political divisions (FIPS codes)
Humboldt(county)
Nevada(state)
United States(country)
North America(continent)
Land(continent)
USGS map quadrangles
Cordero Mine(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)
Quinn River Valley(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)
McDermitt(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)
Hydrologic units (watersheds)
Upper Quinn(hydrologic unit)
Black Rock Desert(hydrologic accounting unit)
Black Rock Desert-Humboldt(hydrologic subregion)
Great Basin(hydrologic region)
| Country | State | County |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Nevada | Humboldt |
| Meridian | Township | Range | Section | Fraction | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Diablo | 047 N | 037 E | 27, 28, 33, 34 | Nevada |
| Commodity | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mercury | Primary |
| Lithium Critical | Tertiary |
| Materials | Type of material |
|---|---|
| Cinnabar | Ore |
| Gypsum | Gangue |
| Iron | Gangue |
| Alunite | Unknown |
| Apatite | Unknown |
| Calcite | Unknown |
| Chalcedony | Unknown |
| Cristobalite | Unknown |
| Montmorillonite | Unknown |
| Opal | Unknown |
| Stibnite | Unknown |
| Tridymite | Unknown |
| Model code | 177 |
|---|---|
| USGS model code | 27a |
| Deposit model name | Hot-spring Hg |
| Host or associated | Host | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock type | Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic) > Felsic Volcanic Rock > Rhyolite | ||
| Rock unit name | Cordero Rhyolite | ||
| |||
| Trench (1) | -117.812, 41.919 |
|---|
| Type of structure | Regional |
|---|---|
| Structure name | Mcdermitt Caldera Collapse Structure |
| Type of structure | Local |
| Structure name | Basin-Range Normal Faults |
| Strike | N45W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dip | 04E | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thickness | 6M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 760M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Width | 670M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depth to top | 30M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Area | 179HA | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Operation type | Surface |
|---|---|
| Development status | Past Producer |
| Commodity type | Metallic |
| Deposit size | Large |
| Significant | Yes |
| Discovery year | 1941 |
| Year of first production | 1975 |
| Year of last production | 1992 |
| Milling method | Flotation |
| Production years | 1975-1990 |
| District name | Opalite Mining District |
|---|
| Ownership category | BLM Administrative Area |
|---|
| Type | Owner-Operator |
|---|---|
| Owner | Placer Amex Inc. |
| ID | 2600646 |
| Interest | 51 |
| Home office | California |
| Year | 1983 |
| Type | Owner |
|---|---|
| Owner | Sterling Mineral Venture |
| ID | 2600646 |
| Interest | 49 |
| Year | 1983 |
| Year | 1975 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Ore Grade= 0.78% / 5,924 Flasks Produced Unreported | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1976 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Ore Grade= 0.90% /22,746 Flasks Produced 164291 Mt Ore Mined/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1977 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Ore Grade= 0.59% /27,245 Flasks Produced 194300 Mt Ore Mined/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1978 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Ore Grade= 0.50% /24,144 Flasks Produced 221848 Mt Ore Mined/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1979 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Ore Grade= 0.50% /30,955 Flasks Produced 225029 Mt Ore Mined/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1980 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Ore Grade= 0.43% /30,397 Flasks Produced 319828 Mt Ore Mined/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1981 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | 489000 Kg Hg Metal From 237000 T | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1982 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | 452000 Kg Hg Metal From 273000 T | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1979 | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 1989000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1977 | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 2416000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1975 | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 2680000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1981 | ||||||||||||||
| Measured | 1495000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 1495000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 1495000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1981 | ||||||||||||||
| Measured | 1648000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 1648000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 1648000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1976 | ||||||||||||||
| Indicated | 2720000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 2720000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 2720000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1980 | ||||||||||||||
| Measured | 1648000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 1648000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 1648000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1981 | ||||||||||||||
| Measured | 1410000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 1410000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 1410000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1982 | ||||||||||||||
| Measured | 1202000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 1202000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 1202000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type of workings | Surface | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 57HA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type of workings | Surface |
|---|---|
| Name of workings | Open Pit |
| Agency | Database name | Acronym | Record ID | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bureau of Mines | Minerals Availability System | MAS | 320130259 | |
| USGS | Mineral Resources Data System | MRDS | M054731 | MAS references MRDS, = 10040100, merged and deleted. |
| Mine Safety and Health Administration | MSHA | MSHA | 2600646 |
Roper, 1976
ROSE, R. L. 1969. GEOLOGY OF PARTS OF THE WADSWORTH AND CHURCHILL BUTTE QUADRANGLES, NEVADA. NV BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOL. BULL. 71, 29 P.
PLACER DEVELOPMENT LTD. 1981. ANNUAL REPORT, 1980. P. 9-10, 19.
PLACER DEVELOPMENT LTD. 1983. ANNUAL REPORT, FORM 10-K, FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1982. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, 67 P.
ALBERS, J. P., AND F. J. KLEINHAMPL. 1970. SPATIAL RELATION OF MINERAL DEPOSITS TO TERTIARY VOLCANIC CENTERS IN NEVADA. U.S. GEOL. SURV. PROF. PAPER 700-C, P. C1-C10.
BAILEY, E. H., AND D. A. PHOENIX. 1944. QUICKSILVER DEPOSITS IN NEVADA. NEVADA BUREAU MINES AND GEOLOGY BULLETIN . 41, V. 38, NO. 5, 206 P.
CURRY, D. L. 1960. THE GEOLOGY OF THE CORDERO QUICKSILVER MINE AREA, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEVADA. M.S. THESIS, UNIV. OR, EUGENE, OR, 60 P.
FISK, E. L. 1968. CORDERO MINE, OPALITE MINING DISTRICT, CH. 75 IN ORE DEPOSITS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1933-1967, ED. BY J. D. RIDGE. AIME, V. II, P. 1573-1591.
GREENE, R. C. 1972. PRELIMINARY GEOLOGIC MAP OF JORDAN MEADOW QUADRANGLE, NEVADA-OREGON. U.S. GEOL. SURV. MISC. FIELD STUDIES MAP MF-341, 1972, SCALE 1:48,000.
HOLMES, G. H., JR. 1965. MERCURY IN NEVADA. CH. IN MERCURY POTENTIAL OF THE UNITED STATES. BUMINES INFORMATION CIRCULAR 8252, P. 215-300.
MCCORMACK, JOHN K., 1986, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO THESIS (MS): PARAGENESIS AND ORIGIN OF SEDIMENT-HOSTED MERCURY ORE AT THE MCDERMITT MINE, MCDERMITT, NEVADA.
MCKEE, E. H., AND R. J. ROSS, JR. 1976. ORIGIN OF THE MCDERMITT CALDERA IN NEVADA AND OREGON AND ITS RELATED MERCURY DEPOSITS. ECON. GEOL. AND BULL. SOC. ECON. GEOL., V. 71, NO. 3, P. 701.
NEVADA MINING ASSOCIATION (RENO). 1975. NEWSLETTER NO. 267, JUNE 15, 1975, PP. 1-2.
NEVADA MINING ASSOCIATION (RENO). 1978. NEVADA MERCURY MINE INCREASES '77 OUTPUT. NV MIN. ASSOC. BULL., V. 2, NO. 5, 1978, P. 13.
NEVADA MINING ASSOCIATION (RENO). 1979. MERCURY MINE: DEPRESSED MARKET; BUT SAFETY STANDARDS HIGH. NV MIN. ASSOC. BULL., V. 3, NO. 5-6, 1979, P. 9.
ROPER, M. W. 1976. HOT SPRINGS MERCURY DEPOSITION AT MCDERMITT MINE, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEVADA. SOC. MIN. ENG. AIME, TRANS., V. 260, JUNE 1976, P. 192-195.
RYTUBA, J.J., 1976, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE MCDERMITT CALDERA, NEV-ORE; U.S.G.S. OPEN FILE REPT. 76-535
SCOTT, M. 1979. HALF OF NATION'S MERCURY COMES FROM MCDERMITT. NV STATE J. (RENO), FEB. 5, 1979, P. 28.
SISSELMAN, R. 1975. NEW MCDERMITT MINE JOINT VENTURE EMERGES AS DOMINANT FORCE IN U.S. MERCURY PRODUCTION. ENG. AND MIN. J., V. 176, NO. 12, 1975, PP. 72-77.
SKILLINGS' MINING REVIEW. 1975. PLACER AMEX'S NEW MCDERMITT MERCURY MINE: PLANT IN NORTHERN NEVADA WITH ANNUAL CAPACITY OF 20,000 FLASKS. V. 64. NO. 52, P. 1, 6-7.
SKILLINGS' MINING REVIEW. 1976. MCDERMITT MERCURY MINE AT DESIGNED CAPACITY OF 20,000 FLASKS ANNUALLY. V. 65, NO. 26, 1976, P.18.
SPEER, W. E. 1977. GEOLOGY OF THE MCDERMITT MINE AREA. M.S. THESIS, UNIV. AZ, TUCSON, AZ, 65 P.
STATE INSPECTOR OF MINES, 1981, DIRECTORY OF NEVADA MINING OPERATIONS ACTIVE DURING CALENDAR YEAR, 1980.
DIVISION OF MINE INSPECTION, 1983, DIRECTORY OF NEVADA MINE OPERATIONS ACTIVE DURING CALENDAR YEAR 1983.
TUNNELL, G. 1964. CHEMICAL PROCESSES IN THE FORMATION OF MERCURY ORES AND ORES OF MERCURY AND ANTIMONY. GEOCHIM. ET COSMOCHIM. ACTA, V. 28, NO. 7, P. 1019-1037.
WILLDEN, R. 1964. GEOLOGY AND MINERAL DEPOSITS OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEVADA. NV BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY BULLETIN 59, 154 P.
| Subject category | Comment text |
|---|---|
| Deposit | MCDERMITT IS THE LARGEST MERCURY PRODUCER IN THE U.S. GENERAL LOCATION: ABOUT 10 KM SW OF MCDERMITT. GENERAL SIZE OF ORE BODY: MEDIUM. MILL: ON-SITE, ACTIVE, 2200 T/D, 90 T/H (FURNACE 0.45 -T/H HG CONC., FLOATATION, DISTILLATION, PRODUCES REFINED MERCURY, SHIPPED 4348 KM TO N.Y. ANNUAL PRODUCTION 240000 T ORE, 2000 FLASKS OF HG FROM OPEN PIT W/ 4.7:1 WASTE;ORE. |
| Deposit | THICKNESS DATA IS FOR INDIVIDUAL ORE HORIZONS . DEPOSIT OCCURS PARALLEL TO BEDDING IN VOLCANIC TUFF DEPOSITED IN AN AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENT. DIPS SLIGHTLY NORTHWARD. |
| Deposit | LOCATED ON PART OF THE OLD CORDERO MINE PROPERTY, BUT THIS IS OPEN PIT, WHILE CORDERO WAS UNDERGROUND. EXPLORATION INDICATES RESERVES OF APPROX. 3 MILLION TONS ORE AT 10 LB. HG/TON (0.5%). AN OPEN PIT MINING OPERATION SUPPLIES A CONCENTRATOR WITH 700 TONS ORE PER DAY. IN 1980, THE MINE WAS LISTED AS AN ACTIVE, OPEN PIT MINE WITH FLOTATION AND DISTILLATION MILL, EMPLOYING A TOTAL OF 56 WORKERS. OPERATIONS BEGAN HERE IN 1975. |
| Type | Date | Name | Affiliation | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reporter | 1996-10-07 | Spear, James M. | U.S. Bureau of Mines | |
| Reporter | 1977-07-01 | Peterson, Jocelyn A. | Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology | MRDS M054731, originator. |
| Updater | 1984-10-01 | La Pointe, D.D. (Tingley, J.V.) | U.S. Geological Survey | MRDS M054731, updated |
| Reporter | 1991-09-01 | Moyer, Lorre A. (Marcus, S.M.) | U.S. Geological Survey | MRDS M054731, updated |
| Reporter | 2012-12-13 | Wilson, Anna B | U.S. Geological Survey | merged and deleted duplicate record 10040100 (MRDS M054731) |
Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.
| Status | Abandoned since 01/03/1991 |
|---|---|
| MSHA mine ID | 2600646 |
| Mine name (MSHA) | Mc Dermitt Mine Jv |
| Current operator | Placer Dome U S Inc |
| Current controller (parent) | Placer Dome Ltd |
| Mine type | Surface (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.
These are landing pages for further research — the state agencies don't currently expose per-mine deep links.