The Cliff Mine is a zinc, silver, lead, and copper mine located in Saguache county, Colorado at an elevation of 10,499 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: 10,499 Feet (3,200 Meters)
Commodity: Zinc, Silver, Lead, Copper
Lat, Long: 38.30194, -106.12417
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.
Cliff Mine MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Cliff Mine
Secondary: Cliff No. 1 Tunnel
Commodity
Primary: Zinc
Primary: Silver
Primary: Lead
Primary: Copper
Secondary: Gold
Location
State: Colorado
County: Saguache
District: Bonanza (Kerber Creek)
Land Status
Land ownership: Private
Note: the land ownership field only identifies whether the area the mine is in is generally on public lands like Forest Service or BLM land, or if it is in an area that is generally private property. It does not definitively identify property status, nor does it indicate claim status or whether an area is open to prospecting. Always respect private property.
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Year Last Production: 1957
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Southern Rocky Mountains
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Type: R
Description: Sawatch Range, San Juan Volcanic Field, Rio Grande Rift
Type: L
Description: Bonanza Caldera
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Early Barren Stage Of Alteration By Fumarolic Or Acid-Hot Spring Activity Resulted In Intense Silicification, Wallrock Replacement By Jasper And Alteration Products Hematite, Diaspore, Alunite, Barite, Zunyite, Rutile, And Kaolin Minerals. Later Mineralizing Stage By Alkaline Or Neutral Solutions Deposited Ore And Gangue And Caused Micaceous Alteration (Sericite And Chlorite) And Calcite, Quartz, And Pyrite.
Rocks
Name: Latite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Oligocene
Name: Latite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Oligocene
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: ASSAYS FROM TUNNEL LEVEL YIELD TRACE TO 0.4 OZ/TON AU, 0.7 TO 12.8 OZ/TON AG, TRACE TO 0.8% CU, 0.5 TO 7.4% PB, 18 TO 22% ZN
Materials
Ore: Galena
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Jasper
Comments
Comment (Workings): TUNNEL DRIVE S74E FOR 220 FT. THENCE GENERALLY S55E FOR 220 INTO CAVED AREA. AT 200 FT INTO TUNNEL, DRIFT DRIVEN ALONG CLIFF VEIN FOR 280 FT. ACCORDING TO GEOLOGIC MAP, CRONJE TUNNEL INTERSECTS THE CLIFF VEIN AND WORKINGS AT POINT APPROX. 120 FT FROM CLIFF TUNNEL
Comment (Location): S-T-R, LAT-LONG, AND ELEV. TAKEN FROM BURBANK'S (1932) PLATE 1 (SCALE 1:12000). MINE OR CLAIM LIES ALONG COPPER GULCH 1500 FT EAST OF ST. LOUIS MINE ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1976)
Comment (Deposit): ATTITUDE ABOVE IS FOR CLIFF VEIN
References
Reference (Deposit): PATTON, H.B., 1916, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE BONANZA DISTRICT, SAGUACHE COUNTY, COLORADO: COLORADO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 9, 136 P.
Reference (Deposit): BURBANK, W.S., 1932, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE BONANZA MINING DISTRICT, COLORADO: USGS PROF. PAPER 169, 166 P.
Colorado Mining Photos
Check out this collection of Colorado's best historic mining photos: Incredible Photos of Colorado Mining Scenes.
