The May Belle Tunnel is a lead and copper mine located in Saguache county, Colorado.
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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May Belle Tunnel MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: May Belle Tunnel
Commodity
Primary: Lead
Primary: Copper
Location
State: Colorado
County: Saguache
District: Bonanza (Kerber Creek)
Land Status
Land ownership: National Forest
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
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: L
Description: Bonanza Caldera
Type: R
Description: Sawatch Range, San Juan Volcanic Field, Rio Grande Rift
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: Andesite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Oligocene
Name: Andesite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Oligocene
Name: Andesite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Oligocene
Name: Andesite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Oligocene
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Galena
Ore: Tennantite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Pyrite
Gangue: Barite
Gangue: Malachite
Gangue: Quartz
Comments
Comment (Deposit): MAY BELLE VEIN TRENDS N25E, 66 SE. TUNNEL CUTS OTHER VEINS WEST OF THIS
Comment (Location): S-T-R, LAT-LONG, AND ELEV. TAKEN FROM BURBANK'S (1932) PLATE 1 (SCALE 1:12000). MINE OR CLAIM LIES ON SW SLOPE OF ROUND MTN. ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1976)
Comment (Development): REPORTEDLY PRODUCED 30 TONS ORE PRIOR TO 1900
Comment (Workings): TUNNEL IS APPARENTLY ABOUT 150 FT LONG.
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
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