The Surprise Group is a uranium mine located in Lemhi county, Idaho at an elevation of 5,299 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: 5,299 Feet (1,615 Meters)
Commodity: Uranium
Lat, Long: 45.5564, -113.96610
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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.
Surprise Group MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Surprise Group
Secondary: Wilhite Uranium
Secondary: Bitterroot Uranium Co.
Secondary: Mathis-Dean Property
Commodity
Primary: Uranium
Tertiary: Iron
Tertiary: Silver
Tertiary: Copper
Location
State: Idaho
County: Lemhi
District: Gibbonsville District
Land Status
Land ownership: National Forest
Note: the land ownership field only identifies whether the area the mine is in is generally on public lands like Forest Service or BLM land, or if it is in an area that is generally private property. It does not definitively identify property status, nor does it indicate claim status or whether an area is open to prospecting. Always respect private property.
Administrative Organization: Salmon National Forest
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Type: Surface/Underground
Ownership
Owner Name: Whilhite
Home Office: Idaho
Owner Name: Gulf Mineral Resources, Inc. (1970 )
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Prospect
Operation Type: Surface-Underground
Discovery Year: 1952
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral Not 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: Salmon River Mountains
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: TABULAR , IRREGULAR, BUNCHES
Structure
Type: L
Structure: Seams
Type: L
Structure: Brecciation
Type: R
Structure: Nw Trend, Ne Dip
Type: L
Structure: Gouge
Type: L
Structure: Fault
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration: Leaching
Alteration Type: L
Alteration: Sericitization
Alteration Type: L
Alteration: Shearing
Rocks
Name: Quartzite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Quartzite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Quartzite
Role: Host
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Pliocene
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: SURPRISE SHEAR ZONE RECORDED ANOMALOUS READINGS OF 16 , 18 , AND 24 PPM U
Analytical Data: ONE SAMPLE ASSAYED 0.30% U3O8 ASSAYED CHEMICALLY 0.374 U3O8. DELLA VALLE LISTS 65 SAMPLES WHICH ASSAYED 0.0031 - 0.3121 % U
Analytical Data: 77 SAMPLES AVERAGED 0.033% O3O8
Materials
Ore: Torbernite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Hematite
Gangue: Chalcedony
Comments
Comment (Location): 1 Mi W Of U.S. 93 On Friedorf Gulch Trail. ; Info From Land.St :(1978)
Comment (Commodity): Scattered Autunite In Sheared Quartz Vein; One Small Piece Chalcopyrite; No Primary Uranium Mineral Found.
Comment (Development): Gulf Conducted Direct Exploration, Geophysical, And Geochemical Work In 1970 ; Econ.Com: Mineralization Dies Out Quickly With Depth
Comment (Workings): Mine Developed By An Adit Drift With Several Crosscuts. 5 Dozer Trenches.
Comment (Geology): Original Structures entry: Local - Vein Cut Off By Fault Striking N 70 Deg W Dipping 70 Deg Ne ; Brecciation . Broad Gouge Bands. Local Broad Seams Of Fe. Foliation Strikes N 48 Deg W, Dips 38 Deg Sw. Brecciation. Regional - Nw Trend, Ne Dip
Comment (Geology): Original concentration process entry: U Was Leached From Ignimbrite (Challis Volcanics) And Precipitated In Alkaline - Reducing Environment Of The Quartzite
Comment (Geology): Original alteration entry: Local - Strong Shearing , Sericitization, Leaching
Comment (Geology): Original ore control entry: Complex Fracture Zone Strikes N 45 - 60 Deg W, Dips 65 - 80 Deg Ne. Main Shear Zone The Surprise, Other Minor Mineralized Shear Zones Include The Johnson Gulch And The Moon
References
Reference (Deposit): Powers, H.A., 1955, Idaho Bureau Of Mines And Geology Open File Report
Reference (Deposit): Cook, E.F., 1957, Radioactive Minerals In Idaho: Idaho Bureau Of Mines And Geol. Mineral Resources Rpt. No. 8, P. 1
Reference (Deposit): Umpleby, USGS Bull 528.
Reference (Deposit): Anderson, A. L., 1958 , Uranium, Thorium, Columbium, And Rare Earth Deposits In The Salmon Region, Lemhi County, Idaho: Idaho Bureau Of Mines And Geology Pamphlet 115 , 81 P.
Reference (Deposit): Della Valle R. S., 1975, Uranium Mineralization In Lemhi County. Idaho: New York City, Queens College, M. S. Thesis, 125 P.
Reference (Deposit): 1957 Direxpl Bitterroot Uranium Co.
Reference (Deposit): 1958 Recon Weis, Armstrong, Rosenblum, Bulletin 1074-B
Reference (Deposit): 1970 Direxpl Gulf Mineral Resources, Inc, Della Valle Thesis
Reference (Reserve-Resource): Anderson, A. L., 1958 , Idaho Bur Mines And Geology Pamph 115 , 81 P. Staley, W. W., 1955 , Idaho Bur Mines And Geology Open - File Rept.
Idaho Gold
"Where to Find Gold in Idaho" 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 Idaho. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Idaho.
