The Big Canyon is a gold mine located in El Dorado county, California at an elevation of 810 feet.
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
Elevation: 810 Feet (247 Meters)
Commodity: Gold
Lat, Long: 38.611, -120.90500
Map: View on Google Maps
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.
Big Canyon MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Big Canyon
Secondary: Oro Fino
Commodity
Primary: Gold
Location
State: California
County: El Dorado
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: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Pacific Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Pacific Border Province
Physiographic Section: California Trough
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Name: Metasedimentary Rock
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Pennsylvanian
Name: Metasedimentary Rock
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Pennsylvanian
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: FREE GOLD 20 % OF AU IN ORE REMAINDER IN PYRITE AND PYRRHOTITE.
Materials
Ore: Pyrrhotite
Ore: Gold
Ore: Pyrite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Albite
Comments
Comment (Geology): IN SHEAR ZONE WITH AMPHIBOLITE TO W AND SERPENTINE LENSE TO E, E OF SERPENTINE ARE METASEDIMENTARY ROCKS OF CALAVERAS GROUP. ORE BODY DIPS UP TO 40 E. THREE PERIODS OF SULFIDE MINERALIZATION; THE FIRST IS OF ARSENOPYRITE, THE SECOND OF BARREN PYRITE AND THE THIRD OF AURIFEROUS PYRITE.
Comment (Location): Location corrected based on PLS using GIS. ACC NW 1/4 OF NW 1/4 SEC
Comment (Production): ACTIVE PRIOR 1888 , 1893 - 1901 , 1915 , 1934 - 1940
Comment (Deposit): VEIN-LIKE MASS OF SHEARED AND BRECCIATED META-ANDESITE
Comment (Workings): DEVELOPED BY 200 FT. VERTICLE SHAFT AND A 540 FT. AT A 40 DEG. INCLINE, ORE STOPED TO SURFACE FROM 500 FT. LEVEL. ANOTHER 620 FT. SHAFT WAS SUNK ON A 45 DEG. INCLINE, ALSO MINED BY OPEN PIT. STOPES 450 FT. LONG AND UP TO 60 FT. WIDE.
References
Reference (Deposit): CLARK, W. B., AND CARLSON, D. W., 1956 , MINES AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF EL DORADO CO., CALIF.: CALIF. JOUR. OF MINES AND GEOL., VOL 52 , NO. 4 , PG. 408 & 487 AND PL 10 .
Reference (Deposit): LOGAN, C. A., 1938 , MIN. RESOURCES OF EL DORADO CO.: CALIF. JOUR. OF MINES AND GEOL., VOL. 34 , NO. 3 , PG 220 - 223 , 238 AND PL II.
Reference (Production): CLARK 1956
California Gold
"Where to Find Gold in California" looks at the density of modern placer mining claims along with historical gold mining locations and mining district descriptions to determine areas of high gold discovery potential in California. Read more: Where to Find Gold in California.
