The Mother Lode is a mercury mine located in Crook county, Oregon at an elevation of 6,201 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: 6,201 Feet (1,890 Meters)
Commodity: Mercury
Lat, Long: 44.33583, -120.35722
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.
Mother Lode MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Mother Lode
Secondary: Canyon Creek
Secondary: American Almaden
Secondary: Consolidated Quicksilver
Commodity
Primary: Mercury
Location
State: Oregon
County: Crook
District: Ochoco District
Land Status
Not available
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Type: Underground
Ownership
Owner Name: Werdenhoff Mining Co.
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Year: 1902
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Intermontane Plateaus
Physiographic Province: Columbia Plateau
Physiographic Section: Walla Walla Plateau
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: LENTICULAR - OR CHIMNEY LIKE
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Extensive Clay Alteration Along Faults And Shear Zones. Silicification, Carbonatization.
Rocks
Name: Tuff
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Pliocene
Name: Tuff
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Pliocene
Name: Tuff
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Eocene
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: MINE YIELDED 10 LB HG PER FT. OF WORKINGS.
Materials
Ore: Cinnabar
Ore: Pyrite
Gangue: Chalcedony
Gangue: Opal
Gangue: Quartz
Comments
Comment (Development): 10 TON ROTARY ON PROPERTY (CA. 1949) ; ECON.COM: 5 TO 20 LB. HG PER TON
Comment (Workings): WORKINGS AS OF CA. 1949. LAST OPERATED 1960.
Comment (Geology): GEOL.DESC: ANDESITE AND BASALT FLOWS OF THE EOCENE CLARNO FM. OVERLAIN BY LATER ANDESITE AND BASALT FLOWS AND TUFFS. PLUGS AND DIKES OF RHYOLITE AND ANDESITE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXTRUSIVE ROCKS.
Comment (Deposit): RECORD (M060842) MERGED WITH THIS RECORD AND DELETED FROM OREGON FILE.
References
Reference (Production): BAILEY, E.H., USGS, PERSONAL FILES
Reference (Deposit): BAILEY, E.H., USGS, PERSONAL FILES
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.