California

The California 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

Satelite View

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: California
Secondary: Danzinger

Commodity

Primary: Gold
Secondary: Silver
Secondary: Antimony
Secondary: Lead
Secondary: Bismuth
Secondary: Copper

Location

State: Alaska
District: Bonnifield

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

Model Name: Polymetallic veins

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Not available

Rocks

Not available

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Gold
Ore: Jamesonite
Ore: Pyrite
Ore: Stibnite
Ore: Arsenopyrite
Ore: Bismuthinite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Galena

Comments

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = The California lode mine contains small veins of complex ore in schist. The most valuable component of the ore is silver; however, it also contains some gold, considerable copper, and a little lead (Smith, 1936, p. 24). Ore minerals include a lead-antimony sulfide (probably jamesonite), bismuthinite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, stibnite, chalcopyrite, and argentiferous galena (Joesting, 1943 [ATDM Pamph. 2]; White and others, 1952). Ore samples assayed 0.27 ounces of gold per ton and 259 ounces of silver per ton; one sample contained 600 ounces of silver per ton (Joesting, 1943 [ATDM Pamph. 2]). A few carloads of ore were said to have been produced (Wedow and others, 1952).

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Polymetallic vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 22c)

Comment (Production): Production Notes = A few carloads of ore were said to have been produced (Wedow and others, 1952).

References

Reference (Deposit): Wedow, Helmuth, Jr., White, M.G. and Moxham, R.M., 1952, Interim report on an appraisal of the uranium possibilities of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 51, 123 p.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1937, Mineral industry in Alaska in 1935: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 880-A, p. 1-95.

Reference (Deposit): Joesting, H.R., 1943, Strategic mineral occurrences in interior Alaska, supplement to pamphlet no. 1: Alaska Territorial Department of Mines Pamphlet 2, 26 p.

Reference (Deposit): White, M.G., West, W.S., Tolbert, G.E., Nelson, A.E. and Houston, J.R., 1952, Preliminary summary of reconnaissance for uranium in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Circular, 196, 17 p.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1936, Mineral industry in Alaska in 1934: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 868-A, p. 1-91.

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): 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): Berg, H.C., and Cobb, E.H., 1967, Metalliferous Lode Deposits of Alaska. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1246, 254 p.

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