The Niles Mine is a vermiculite mine located in Custer county, Colorado at an elevation of 8,159 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: 8,159 Feet (2,487 Meters)
Commodity: Vermiculite
Lat, Long: 38.26, -105.55417
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.
Niles Mine MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Niles Mine
Commodity
Primary: Vermiculite
Tertiary: REE
Location
State: Colorado
County: Custer
District: Gem Park Area
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
Type: Surface
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Year Last Production: 1945
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Southern Rocky Mountains
Mineral Deposit Model
Model Name: Alkaline complexes
Orebody
Form: PIPE
Structure
Type: R
Description: Central Cordillera (Southern Rocky Mountains)
Type: L
Description: Gem Park Complex
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Name: Gabbro
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Late Cambrian
Name: Gabbro
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Late Cambrian
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: 0.003% NB, 0.5% SR, 1.5% LA, 2% CE, 0.7% ND
Materials
Ore: Vermiculite
Comments
Comment (Location): IN GEM PARK ABOUT A MILE SOUTH OF GEM MOUNTAIN AND ABOUT A MILE SOUTHWEST OF DEMOCRATIC MOUNTAIN ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1976)
Comment (Production): COMBINED SHIPMENTS FROM NILES MINE AND VERMICULITE MINE PRIOR TO WORLD WAR II TOTALLED LESS THAN 3000 TONS VERMICULITE
Comment (Workings): "L" SHAPED PIT
References
Reference (Deposit): PARKER, R. L. AND SHARP, W. N., 1970, MAFIC-ULTRAMAFIC IGNEOUS ROCKS AND ASSOCIATED CARBONATITES OF THE GEM PARK COMPLEX, CUSTER AND FREMONT COUNTIES, COLORADO: USGS PROFESSIONAL PAPER 649, 24 P.
Reference (Deposit): TAYLOR, R. B., SCOTT, G. R., WOBUS, R. A. AND EPIS, R. C., 1975, RECONNAISSANCE GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE COTOPAXI 15-MINUTE QUADRANGLE, FREMONT AND CUSTER COUNTIES, COLORADO: USGS MAP I-900, 1: 62,500
Colorado Mining Photos
Check out this collection of Colorado's best historic mining photos: Incredible Photos of Colorado Mining Scenes.
