Blue Bonanza

The Blue Bonanza is a gold mine located in Alaska.

About the MRDS Data:

All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property.

Mine Info

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MRDS mine locations are often very general, and in some cases are incorrect. Some mine remains have been covered or removed by modern industrial activity or by development of things like housing. The satellite view offers a quick glimpse as to whether the MRDS location corresponds to visible mine remains.

Site Name

Primary: Blue Bonanza
Secondary: Midnight Sun

Commodity

Primary: Gold
Secondary: Silver
Secondary: Lead
Secondary: Antimony

Location

State: Alaska
District: Fairbanks

Land Status

Not available

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Not available

Ownership

Not available

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant:

Physiography

Not available

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Not available

Rocks

Not available

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Arsenopyrite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Gold
Ore: Stibnite
Ore: Tetrahedrite
Gangue: Quartz

Comments

Comment (Workings): Workings / Exploration = The mine was developed by a 35-degree inclined shaft at least 30 feet deep; the richest ore was concentrated in a zone 12 to 15 feet below the surface (Chapin, 1914 [B 592-J, p. 321-355]).

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Schist-hosted gold-quartz vein

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = Ore was mined from a rich quartz vein that was 18 inches thick at the surface and narrowed with depth. Two periods of vein formation have been described. The older quartz is crushed and has cavities, whereas the younger quartz has glassy crystals and is banded parallel to walls (Smith, 1913 [B 525]). Gold is visible both near and remote from sulfides. The sulfides are galena, pyrite, and some stibnite; considerable silver is present in tetrahedrite. By 1914, a shaft was driven to a depth of 130 feet; however, the richest ore was concentrated in a zone 12 to 15 feet below the surface (Chapin, 1914 [B 592-J, p. 321-355]). Hill (1933) described a quartz vein on the property as being 5 to 6 inches wide and oriented N. 10 W., dipping 65 E. A grab sample from the dump contained $9.22 of gold per ton (0.45 ounce of gold per ton) (Hill, 1933).

Comment (Reference): Primary Reference = Smith, 1913 (B 525)

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

References

Reference (Deposit): Cobb, E.H., 1976, Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Fairbanks quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-662, 174 p.

Reference (Deposit): Cobb, E.H., 1972, Metallic mineral resources map of the Fairbanks quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-410, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1913, Lode mining near Fairbanks, in Prindle, L.M., A geologic reconnaissance of the Fairbanks quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 525, p. 153-216.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1913, Lode mining near Fairbanks: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 542-F, p. 137-202.

Reference (Deposit): Chapman, R.M., and Foster, R.L., 1969, Lode mines and prospects in the Fairbanks district, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 625-D, 25 p., 1 plate.

Reference (Deposit): Hill, J.M., 1933, Lode deposits of the Fairbanks District, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 849-B, p. 29-163.

Reference (Deposit): Killeen, P.L., and Mertie, J.B., 1951, Antimony ore in the Fairbanks District, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 51-46, 43 p.

Reference (Deposit): Chapin, Theodore, 1914, Lode mining near Fairbanks, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 592-J, p. 321-355.

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