The Bella May Mine is a zinc, silver, and lead mine located in Pend Oreille county, Washington at an elevation of 2,041 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: 2,041 Feet (622 Meters)
Commodity: Zinc, Silver, Lead
Lat, Long: 48.84417, -117.39528
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.
Bella May Mine MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Bella May Mine
Secondary: Metaline
Secondary: Metaline Mining and Leasing
Commodity
Primary: Zinc
Primary: Silver
Primary: Lead
Secondary: Copper
Tertiary: Uranium
Location
State: Washington
County: Pend Oreille
District: Metaline District
Land Status
Not available
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Type: Unknown
Ownership
Owner Name: Metaline Mining And Leasing Co.
Owner Name: American Zinc, Lead, And Smelting Co.
Home Office: St. Louis, Mo.
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Deposit Type: Replacement
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1906
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: Okanogan Highlands - Selkirk Range
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: IRREGULAR
Structure
Type: R
Description: Down Dropped Block Between Flume Creek And Slate Creek Faults.
Type: L
Description: Metaline Thrust Fault And Many Normal Faults Plus Broad Folds Plunging Gently South And Southwest.
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Silicification Of Dolomite
Rocks
Name: Dolomite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Late Cambrian
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: AVERAGE GRADE OF ORE PRODUCED 1937-1947 WAS 1.27% PB AND 5.28% ZN, SAMPLE OF A FAULT ZONE ASSAYED 0.19% U3O8.
Materials
Ore: Wulfenite
Ore: Smithsonite
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Anglesite
Gangue: Calcite
Comments
Comment (Geology): SOME ORE BODIES ARE ELONGATE NE PARALLEL TO TWO MAJOR FAULTS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT FEEDING CHANNELS. MINERALIZATION WAS POST DEFORMATION
Comment (Workings): UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES THE BLUE BUCKET, BELLA MAY, AND WEST CONTACT WORKINGS. INDIVIDUAL ORE BODIES RANGE FROM A FEW TO SEVERAL HUNDRED FT LONG AND AS MUCH AS 75 TO 100 FT THICK, ALTHOUGH MOST ARE 20 TO 40 FT THICK. ORE BODIES WIDELY DISPERSED.
References
Reference (Deposit): HUNTTING, M. T., 1956, INVENTORY OF WASHINGTON MINERALS - PART II METALLIC MINERALS: WASHINGTON DIV. MINES AND GEOL. BULL. 37, V. 1, P. 366-367
Reference (Deposit): 1936 GEOLMAP PARK AND CANNON, PROF. PAPER 202
Reference (Deposit): 1945 GEOLMAP M. D. DINGS, U.S.G.S. PROF. PAPER 489
Reference (Production): U.S. BUREAU OF MINES INFO. CIRC. 7872
Reference (Deposit): PARK, C. F. JR. AND CANNON, R. S. JR., 1943, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE METALINE QUADRANGLE, WASHINGTON: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROF. PAPER 202, P. 65-67
Reference (Deposit): DINGS, M. G. AND WHITEBREAD, D. H., 1965, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE METALINE ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT, PEND OREILLE COUNTY, WASHINGTON: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROF. PAPER 489, P. 66-90
Reference (Deposit): PATTY, E. N., 1921, THE METAL MINES OF WASHINGTON: WASHINGTON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 23, P. 85-86
Washington Gold
"Where to Find Gold in Washington" 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 Arizona. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Washington.
