The Big Chief is a mercury mine located in Lake county, California at an elevation of 1,801 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: 1,801 Feet (549 Meters)
Commodity: Mercury
Lat, Long: 38.77083, -122.70306
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.
Big Chief MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Big Chief
Commodity
Primary: Mercury
Location
State: California
County: Lake
District: East Mayacmas
Land Status
Not available
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
Ownership
Owner Name: H. H. Barrows
Production
Year: 1962
Time Period: To 1962
Material type: HG
Description: Cp_Grade: ^10-20 Lb/Ton
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Year: 1859
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Pacific Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Pacific Border Province
Physiographic Section: California Coast Ranges
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Type: L
Description: Faults
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Kaolinization
Rocks
Name: Basalt
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Late Jurassic
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Cinnabar
Comments
Comment (Workings): MINE WORKINGS CAVED . SEVERAL THOUSAND FEET OF WORKINGS.
References
Reference (Deposit): HOLMES, G. W., JR., 1965, MERCURY IN CALIFORNIA: IN USBM IC 8252
Reference (Deposit): YATES, R. G. AND HILPERT, L. S., 1946, QUICKSILVER DEPOSITS OF THE EASTERN MACAYAMAS DISTRICT, LAKE AND NAPA COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA: CALIF. JOUR. OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, V. 42, P. 231 - 286
Reference (Deposit): BAILEY, U.S.G.S., PERSONAL FILES
Reference (Deposit): AVERILL, C. V., 1947, MINES AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: CALIF. JOUR. OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, V. 43, P. 25 - 38
Reference (Production): HOLMES
California Gold
"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.
