Ribbon

The Ribbon is a chromium mine located in Whatcom county, Washington at an elevation of 3,875 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

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.

Site Name

Primary: Ribbon
Secondary: Washington Chrome

Commodity

Primary: Chromium

Location

State: Washington
County: Whatcom
District: Sisters District

Land Status

Land ownership: National Wilderness
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: In Mount Baker Wilderness In Mount Baker National Forest

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Not available

Ownership

Owner Name: Washington Chrome Co.,
Home Office: Seattle
Years: 1934 -

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S

Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Pacific Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Cascade-Sierra Mountains
Physiographic Section: Northern Cascade Mountains

Mineral Deposit Model

Model Name: Podiform chromite (minor)

Orebody

Form: LENSES AND PODS

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Dunite Is Serpentinized

Rocks

Name: Dunite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Early Cretaceous

Name: Dunite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Early Cretaceous

Analytical Data

Analytical Data: ORE SHIPMENT RAN 51.2% CR2O3, CR:FE=3.06:1

Materials

Ore: Chromite
Gangue: Tourmaline
Gangue: Prehnite
Gangue: Staurolite
Gangue: Anthophyllite
Gangue: Pyroxene
Gangue: Serpentine
Gangue: Magnetite
Gangue: Olivine
Gangue: Clinochlore

Comments

Comment (Deposit): MINERALIZATION OF PODS AND LENSES LACKS CONTINUITY. DIMENSIONS GIVEN ARE FOR ONE LENS

Comment (Deposit): SEE ALSO MRDS RECORD M700107

Comment (Workings): OPEN CUT

Comment (Geology): TWIN SISTERS DUNITE IS LARGEST ULTRAMAFIC BODY IN NORTHWESTERN CASCADES

Comment (Location): ON NORTHWEST VALLEY WALL OF GREEN CREEK

References

Reference (Deposit): DERKEY, R.E., JOSEPH, N.L., AND LASMANIS, RAYMOND, 1990, METAL MINES OF WASHINGTON - PRELIMINARY REPORT: WASHINGTON DIVISION OF GEOLOGY AND EARTH RESOURCES OPEN-FILE REPORT 90-18, P. 566.

Reference (Deposit): HUNTTING, M.T., 1956, INVENTORY OF WASHINGTON MINERALS - PART II, METALLIC MINERALS: WASHINGTON DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY BULLETIN 37, V. 1, P. 42.

Reference (Production): HUNTTING, 1956

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.