The Benson is a chromium mine located in Grant county, Oregon.
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
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.
Benson MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Benson
Commodity
Primary: Chromium
Location
State: Oregon
County: Grant
District: Canyon (?)
Land Status
Not available
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Occurrence
Deposit Type: Podiform
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Intermontane Plateaus
Physiographic Province: Columbia Plateau
Physiographic Section: Walla Walla Plateau
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: 2 SMALL KIDNEYS, ONE ELONGATED IRREGULAR BAND
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Not available
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: ASSAYS 30 - 36 % CHROMIC OXIDE
Materials
Ore: Chromite
Comments
Comment (Location): W. OF DIVIDE AT HEAD OF SMALL CREEK RUNNING W INTO BEACH CREEK.
Comment (Production): NO PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Comment (Deposit): ORE IS SOFT, VERY FINE-GRAINED, AND A DEEP BLACK.
Comment (Geology): SERPENTINE IS SHEARED AND SLICKENSIDED: A FEW LARGE BOULDERS ARE PRESENT. ORE, LIKE COUNTRY ROCK, IS MUCH BROKEN AND CUT BY CALCITE AND MAGNESITE VEINS. ; GEOL.DESC: SERPENTINE IS SHEARED AND SLICKENSIDED; A FEW LARGE BOULDERS ARE PRESENT. ORE, LIKE COUNTRY ROCK, IS MUCH BROKEN AND SHEARED AND CUT BY CALCITE AND MAGNETITE VEINS.
Comment (Reserve-Resource): CHROMITE BODIES NOW APPEAR TO BE EXHAUSTED, AS NO ORE APPEARS IN PLACE.
References
Reference (Reserve-Resource): ALLEN, 1938 , P. 67 .
Reference (Deposit): ALLEN, J. E., 1938 , CHROMITE DEPOSITS IN OREGON: ODGMI BULL. 9 , P. 67
Oregon Gold
"Where to Find Gold in Oregon" 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 Oregon. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Oregon.
