Argo Pioneer

The Argo Pioneer is a gold mine located in Mariposa county, California at an elevation of 3,127 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

Name: Argo Pioneer  

State:  California

County:  Mariposa

Elevation: 3,127 Feet (953 Meters)

Commodity: Gold

Lat, Long: 37.76472, -120.09167

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.


Satelite image of the Argo Pioneer

Argo Pioneer MRDS details

Site Name

Primary: Argo Pioneer
Secondary: Pioneer


Commodity

Primary: Gold


Location

State: California
County: Mariposa
District: Greeleyhill


Land Status

Not available


Holdings

Not available


Workings

Type: Surface/Underground


Ownership

Owner Name: Walter D. Mclean


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: Cascade-Sierra Mountains
Physiographic Section: Sierra Nevada


Mineral Deposit Model

Not available


Orebody

Form: PINCH & SWELL


Structure

Not available


Alterations

Not available


Rocks

Not available


Analytical Data

Not available


Materials

Ore: Pyrite
Ore: Gold
Gangue: Quartz


Comments

Comment (Geology): GEOL.DESC: VEIN IS 2 - 5 FT. THICK. BLUE-BLACK QUARTZ BIOTITE HORNFELS, BLACK QUARTZITE AND A MEDIUM-GRAINED, ALTERED INTRUSIVE ROCK, EITHER DIABASE OR DIORITE, TWO ORE SHOOTS 100 FEET APART.

Comment (Location): NW 1/4 15 , NE 1/4 16 UTM ACC.

Comment (Commodity): POCKETS OF HIGH GRADE ORE

Comment (Production): TOTAL RECORDED PRODUCTION IS ABOUT $18,500. WORKED INTERMITTENTLY BETWEEN 1923 AND 1935; DURING WINTER OF 1937 TWO MEN RECOVERED $76.00 WORTH OF GOLD IN 3 DAYS FROM A SOIL MANTLE SOUTH OF THE SHAFT; MILLING OF 24 TONS OF DUMP MATERIAL IN 1949 YIELDED 18 OZ. OF GOLD, OR AN AVERAGE OF $26.25 PER TON. ONLY ASSESSMENT WORK DONE SINCE 1949.

Comment (Deposit): VEIN, ORE SHOOTS

Comment (Workings): SEVERAL OPEN CUTS AND A 200-FT. INCLINED SHAFT WITH SEVERAL LEVELS AND STOPES.

Comment (Deposit): TWO UNPATENTED CLAIMS, THE ARGO AND THE PIONEER. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER HIGH-GRADE ORE OCCURS IN SMALL SHOOTS AND POCKETS IN WHICH SPECIMEN GOLD IS ASSOCIATED WITH QUARTZ AND PYRITE.


References

Reference (Deposit): BOWEN, O. E., JR., & GRAY, H., JR., 1957 , MINES AND MINERAL DEPOSITS OF MARIPOSA COUNTY, CALIF.: CALIF. JOUR. MINES & GEOL., VOL. 53 , NOS. 1 & 2 , P. 75 - 76 , 235 .

Reference (Deposit): CLARK, W. B., 1970 , GOLD DISTRICTS OF CALIF.: CDM BULL. 193 , P. 85 .

Reference (Production): BOWEN AND GRAY, 1957


California Gold

Where to Find Gold in California

"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.