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Talapoosa Deposit

Producer in Lyon county in Nevada, United States with commodities Gold, Silver, Mercury, Copper, Zinc, Lead
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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. Alteration
  9. Mineral occurrence model information
  10. Host and associated rocks
  11. Nearby scientific data
  12. Geologic structures
  13. Ore body information
  14. Controls for ore emplacement
  15. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  16. Mining district
  17. Land status
  18. Ownership information
  19. Reserves and resources
  20. Links to other databases
  21. Bibliographic references
  22. General comments
  23. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10310358
MRDS ID M231187
Record type Site
Current site name Talapoosa Deposit
Alternate or previous names Dyke Adit Pit, Christianson Shaft, Justice Prospect, Bear Creek Zone, Main Pit, East Hill Pit, Talapoosa Joint Venture, Talapoosa Gold Project, Alpha, Omega, Talapoosa Mines

Comments on the site identification

  • This record supersedes earlier record #M231187 from which all material has been incorporated into the current record.

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: -119.27432, 39.45379 (WGS84)
Elevation 1650
Relative position The Talapoosa Deposit is located 45 highway miles southeast of Reno, Nevada.

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Lyon(county)

Nevada(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Stockton Flat Well(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Carson City(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Reno(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Middle Carson(hydrologic unit)

Carson(hydrologic accounting unit)

Central Lahontan(hydrologic subregion)

Great Basin(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

Bureau of Land Management(Bureau of Land Management NV)

Bureau of Land Management NV BLM(Type of land area)

BLM(Federal land areas administered by BLM)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Nevada Lyon

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Mount Diablo 018N 024E 02 03 Nevada

Comments on the location information

  • The Talapoosa Deposit is located in the south part of the Virginia Range about four miles northwest of Silver Springs. UTM is to center of the Bear Creek Zone

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Gold Primary
Silver Primary
Mercury Tertiary
Copper Tertiary
Zinc Critical Tertiary
Lead Tertiary

Comments on the commodity information

  • Ore Materials: electrum
  • Gangue Materials: quartz, opal, chlorite, zeolites, calcite, smectite, epidote, pyrite, sericite, adularia, celadonite, illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, alunite, allophane, halloysite, jarosite, gypsum, iron oxides, argentite, cinnabar.

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Electrum Ore
Quartz Gangue
Opal Gangue
Chlorite Gangue
Zeolite Gangue
Calcite Gangue
Epidote Gangue
Pyrite Gangue
Sericite Gangue
Adularia Gangue
Celadonite Gangue
Illite Gangue
Montmorillonite Gangue
Kaolinite Gangue
Alunite Gangue
Allophane Gangue
Halloysite Gangue
Jarosite Gangue
Gypsum Gangue
Argentite Gangue
Cinnabar Gangue

Alteration

  • (Local) Alteration types present are, in order of oldest to youngest: propylitic, phyllic, silicic, argillic, and opaline alterations. The pervasive propylitic assemblage consists of chlorite, zeolites, calcite, smectite clays, sodic rims on plagioclase (partial albitization), minor quartz and epidote, and trace to 2% disseminated pyrite. Magnetite is generally stable. The intensity of propylitic alteration increases with proximity to mineralized veins. Phyllic alteration is dominated by sericite and pyrite (3-5%) with lesser amounts of quartz and adularia. Celadonite and illite are also present. Phyllic alteration is generally pervasive throughout the andesite unit and the andesite breccia subunit. The silicic assemblage consists of multiple stages of banded chalcedony and drusy quartz adularia and contains minor sulfides, sulfosalts, and electrum. Quartz-adularia intergrowths commonly replace calcite cleavage planes. Silicic alteration is manifest by a well developed vein stockwork crosscutting the andesite unit, as a pervasive replacement, and as matrix to irregular zones of hydrothermal breccias. The silicic assemblage overprints both phyllic and propylitic alteration and represents the main stage of precious metal deposition. The argillic assemblage consists of montmorillonite clays, kaolinite, alunite, allophane, halloysite, jarosite, gypsum, and iron oxides. Argillic alteration is best developed in fault zones. It also occurs as a pervasive supergene product of pyrite oxidation, overprinting both phyllic and propylitic assemblages. The opaline assemblage consists of massive, multi-colored opaline-chalcedonic breccia containing iron oxides and occasional cinnabar. Opaline breccia appears to be replacing andesite tuff-breccia. The opaline breccia may represent a higher level equivalent to the silicic assemblage, deposited near the paleosurface.

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 150
USGS model code 25c
Deposit model name Epithermal vein, Comstock
Mark3 model number 16

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic) > Intermediate Volcanic Rock > Andesite
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Middle Miocene
    Chronological age 12.8
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Middle Miocene
    Chronological age 12.4
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Coal Valley Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Miocene
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Kate Peak Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Miocene
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Lousetown Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Miocene
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Hartford Hill Tuff
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Tertiary
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic) > Felsic Volcanic Rock > Dacite
    Rock type qualifier porphyry
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Miocene
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Porphyry
    Rock type qualifier dacite
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Miocene

Nearby scientific data

(1) -119.27432, 39.45379
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Regional
Structure description The deposit occurs at the intersection of the Gooseberry-Talapoosa Lineament (a major E-W trending structural zone) and the NW-trending Bear Creek structural zone.
Type of structure Local
Structure description Important mineralized structures include E-W and NW-striking high angle faults and associated fractures. NE-striking high angle faults are generally post-mineralization.

Ore body information

  • General form tabular
    Length 750M
    Width 300M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Mineralization is structurally controlled. Low angle fault splays in the hanging wall block of the main Talapoosa structure, and the intersection of the E-W and NW-trending structures are locally important ore controls to higher grade breccia-hosted mineralization.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface-Underground
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Small
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1864
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1864
Year of last production 1926
Plant type Leach
Plant subcategory Precipitation
Milling method Leach-Precipitation
Production years sporadic from about 1864 to about 1926

Mining district

District name Talapoosa District

Land status

Ownership category Private
Ownership category BLM Administrative Area
Area name Carson City BLM Administrative district

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner American Gold Capital Corp.
    Year 2004
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Athena Gold Corporation (100% Sub - Miramar Mining Corp)
    Interest 100
    Home office Canada
    Year 1996
    First year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Miramar Mining Corp. (Acq 100% Of Athena 01/95)
    Interest 100
    Home office Canada
    Year 1996
    First year 1995
  • Type Owner
    Owner Pegasus Gold Inc.
    Interest 70
    Home office Washington
    Year 1994
    Last year 1994
  • Type Operator
    Owner Pegasus Gold, Inc. (70%)/Athena Gold Corp. (30%) Joint Venture

Comments on the ownership information

  • PEGASUS GOLD CORP. PULLED OUT OF TALAPOOSA PROJECT, APRIL, 94. MIRAMAR MINING CORP ACQ 100% OF ATHENA GOLD CORP. & TALAPOOSA 01/95.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Measured 22585271mt ore
    Indicated 4521409mt ore
    Demonstrated 27106680mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 0.8914 g/mt Gold Major 1996
    Silver Ag 13.7143 g/mt Silver Major 1996
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Total resources 8000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 1.27 g/mt Gold Major 1991
    Silver Ag 17.223 g/mt Silver Major 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Inferred 1127903mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 0.5143 g/mt Gold Major 1996
    Silver Ag 8.2286 g/mt Silver Major 1996
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Measured 30602063mt ore
    Indicated 8095717mt ore
    Demonstrated 38697780mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 0.8571 g/mt Gold Major 1996
    Silver Ag 11.6571 g/mt Silver Major 1996
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Inferred 2213531mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 0.6514 g/mt Gold Major 1996
    Silver Ag 7.5429 g/mt Silver Major 1996
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 38697780mt ore
    Inferred 2213531mt ore
    Total resources 40911311mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 0.846 g/mt Gold Major 1996
    Silver Ag 11.435 g/mt Silver Major 1996
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1997
    Demonstrated 45000000mt ore
    Total resources 45000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 0.857 g/mt Gold Major 1997
    Silver Ag 11.31 g/mt Silver Major 1997

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • R-RECORD 2; THESE ARE THE PROV + PROB "RESERVES" AS SET OUT IN THE NEWS RELEASE. SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 3; POSSIBLE "RESERVES" SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 4; THESE ARE THE MEAS + INDI "RESOURCES" INCLUDING THE PROV + PROB "RESERVES" AS SET OUT IN THE NEW RELEASE. SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 5; INFERRED "RESOURCES" INCLUDES THE POSSIBLE "RESERVES AS SET OUT IN THE NEW RELEASE. SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 6; TOTAL MEAS + INDI "RESOURCES", INCLUDES TOTAL PROV + PROB "RESERVES", 02/96. SEE "A" BIBL REF 001-002.

Comments on the workings information

  • Historic workings consist of an 800-foot tunnel from which an inclined winze has been sunk to about 100 foot depth. There are also several short tunnels and shallow shafts. More recent workings include several open pits developed on the orebodies.

Comments on other economic factors

  • Production was limited and sporadic from about 1864 to about 1950. Total recorded production from the district is estimated to be less than 5000 ounces of gold. Historic company records account for 22,000 tons of production.
    In 1995 the Talapoosa Deposit contained a total geologic resource of 45 million tons of ore grading 0.025 ounces of gold per ton and 0.33 ounces of silver per ton, including proven and probable reserves of 29.9 million tons of ore grading 0.026 ounces of gold per ton and 0.4 ounces of silver per ton.
  • CITING LOW GOLD PRICES AND INCONSISTENT RECOVERIES, MIRAMAR MINING HAS TAKEN A $33.6MIL. WRITEDOWN ON THE TALAPOOSA GOLD SILVER PROJECT IN WESTERN NEVADA, SUSPENDING ITS DEVELOPEMENT. (SEE BIB)

Comments on development

  • Prospects in the Talapoosa district are said to have been worked in a small way as early as 1864 by prospectors from Virginia City, but with no recorded production as of 1910. It was held by the Talapoosa Mining Company from 1905 until 1925, when the company lost the property in litigation. eology and Ore Controls of Gold-Silver Mineralization in the Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada. In 1925, the new owners built a 50 tpd flotation mill that operated for one year, processing about 8000 tons of ore. Production was limited and sporadic in later years. Total recorded production from the district is estimated to be less than 5000 ounces of gold. Historic company records account for 22,000 tons of production. Since the 1960s, several companies have explored the district for bulk-mineable ore: Duval Corp. in 1966, Homestake Mining in 1977-78, Superior Minerals in 1978-79, and Kennecott Corp. in 1981-83. Athena Gold Corp. leased the property in 1985 and drilled 34 shallow reverse circulation drill holes. A small resource of low grade oxide mineralization was identified which was tested further by an additional 121 reverse circulation drill holes. Preliminary metallurgical tests indicated that the oxide mineralization was only moderately amenable to heap leaching. In early 1989, Athena drilled 49 reverse circulation drill holes and 5 deeper NCHQ core holes. One purpose of the reverse circulation drill holes was to provide sufficient oxide ore for bulk recovery tests. This metallurgical testing demonstrated that the oxidized ore was only marginally amenable to heap leach methods in that the ore required crushing to minus 1/4 inch to achieve reasonable cyanide extraction of the gold. However, all 5 core holes intersected thick zones of low grade sulfide mineralization. An additional 20 deep holes were drilled, resulting in the discovery of a large tabular stockwork zone (the Bear Creek zone) 300 meters wide and 750 meters long which defines the currently recognized gold-silver resource. In January, 1992, Pegasus Gold Inc. reached an agreement with Athena Gold Corp. to earn a 70% interest in the Talapoosa project. Pegasus initiated a drilling program to confirm and expand reserves and conducted metallurgical testing to determine rates of recovery. The Talapoosa Joint Venture between Athena Gold Corp. and Pegasus Gold Corp. terminated April 25, 1994 with Athena now retaining a 100% interest in the project. Miramar Mining acquired Talapoosa through a merger with Athena and continued with the permitting process and an independent feasibility study. In 1997, Miramar Mining suspended development of the Talapoosa project due in part to depressed gold prices and in part to the need for additional metallurgical testing. In June, 2002, it was reported that American Gold Capital Corp. was reactivating development at the Talapoosa property. It was still owned by American Gold Capital in 2004.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    Van Nieuwenhuyse, R., 1991, Geology and Ore Controls of Gold-Silver Mineralization in the Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada, in Raines, G. L., et al., eds., Geology and Ore Deposits of the Great Basin, The Geological Society of Nevada, Reno, p. 979-993.

  • Deposit

    Garside, L. and Silberman, M., 1973, K-Ar Age of Ore Deposition, Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada, Isochron/West, no.7, p. 5-6.

  • Deposit

    Hill, J. M., 1911, Notes on the Economic Geology of the Ramsey, Talapoosa, and White Horse Mining Districts, in Lyon and Washoe Counties, Nevada, USGS Bulletin 470, p. 99-108.

  • Deposit

    Pegasus Gold Inc., 1992, Annual Report for 1991.

  • Deposit

    Moore, J. G., 1969, Geology and Mineral Deposits of Lyon, Douglas, and Ormsby Counties, Nevada: NBMG Bulletin 75.

  • Deposit

    Stoddard, C. and Carpenter, J. A., 1950, Mineral Resources of Storey and Lyon Counties, Nevada: NBMG Bulletin 49.

  • Deposit

    NBMG, 1994, MI-1993

  • Deposit

    Nevada Division of Minerals, 1994

  • Deposit

    Long, K.R., DeYoung, J.H., Jr., and Ludington, S.D., 1998, Database of significant deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in the United States; Part A, Database description and analysis; part B, Digital database: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-206, 33 p., one 3.5 inch diskette.

  • Deposit

    California Mining Journal, 6/1/94.

  • Deposit

    NBMG MI-1994

  • Deposit

    Northern Miner, 8/22/94.

  • Deposit

    Denver Mining Record, 2/26/97.

  • Deposit

    NBMG MI-1997

  • Deposit

    Draft Environmental Impact Statement Availability for Talapoosa Mining Inc.'s Talapoosa Mine Project , 1996.

  • Deposit

    Carpenter, Ann, 1992, Geology and Mineralization of the Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada; in Reno Area - Northern Walker Lane Mineralization and Structure; GSN Special Pub. No. 15.

  • Development

    THE NORTHERN MINER. "MIRAMAR PUTS TALAPOOSA GOLD PROJECT ON HOLD". 2/24/97. P.10.

  • Ownership

    THE MINING RECORD, APRIL 27, 1994, P19.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MIRAMAR MINING CORP., NEWS RELEASE 96-03, 02/14/96, "TALAPOOSA PROJECT RESERVES & RESOURCES...".

  • Reserve-Resource

    MIRAMAR MINING CORPORATION., NEWS RELEASE 2/14/97. 1P. "MIRAMAR MINING CORPORATION TALAPOOSA PROJECT ON HOLD..."

  • Deposit

    NEV. BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOL. BULLETIN 75, 1969, PLATE 2.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN MINES HANDBOOK, 1996, PP. 166, 167.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit Gold-silver mineralization occurs in quartz stockwork veins and local sulfidic silicified breccias associated with widespread phyllic and propylitic alteration. Gold occurs as fine grained, free electrum in quartz-adularia veins, and as inclusions in, and on the surface of pyrite, argentite, and sulfosalt mineral grains. The grain size of the electrum ranges from 5-250 microns and averages 75 microns. Primary electrum is 650-850 fine. Dacite porphyry intrusions are the youngest event associated with Kate Peak volcanism, and alteration and mineralization are closely associated with porphyry emplacement.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-JUL-80 Flynn, Patricia D. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Updater 01-SEP-92 Phinisey, J. D. (Marcus, S.) U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-SEP-94 Li, Zhiping (Moyer, Lorre A.) U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 24-JUN-97 Buckingham, David A. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-FEB-05 LaPointe, D.D. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Editor 01-SEP-07 Schruben, Paul G. U.S. Geological Survey Converted from S&A FileMaker format to Oracle. Edit checks on rocks, units, and ages with Geolex search, and other fields.

Beyond USGS

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

External references

Maps centered on this site

Authoritative Nevada resources

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