The Ophir is a zinc, gold, lead, copper, and silver mine located in San Miguel county, Colorado.
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:
Commodity: Zinc, Gold, Lead, Copper, Silver
Lat, Long: 37.83306, -107.80806
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.
Ophir MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Ophir
Commodity
Primary: Zinc
Primary: Gold
Primary: Lead
Primary: Copper
Primary: Silver
Location
State: Colorado
County: San Miguel
District: Ophir
Land Status
Not available
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Deposit Type: Hydrothermal Vein
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1878
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: Y
Deposit Size: L
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Southern Rocky Mountains
Mineral Deposit Model
Model Name: Polymetallic veins
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Type: R
Description: Paradox Basin Of Southeastern Utah And Southwestern Colorado (Intracratonic Basin) Trending Northwest-Southeast Elongate Structure. Gypsum Valley Anticline, Dolores Anticline: Fold Axis Trending Northwest-Southeast
Type: L
Description: Series Of Northwest Trending Fractures From The Silverton Caldera, But The Most Productive Veins Trend Towards The West
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Not available
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Magnetite
Ore: Pyrite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Hematite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Gangue: Barite
Gangue: Calcite
Gangue: Quartz
Comments
Comment (Geology): SAN JUAN FM. - 35-30 MA: INTERMEDIATE-COMPOSITION MUDFLOWS, VOLCANICLASTIC SEDIMENTARY ROCKS, LAVA FLOWS, AND FLOW BRECCIAS. THE MOST PRODUCTIVE VEINS ARE IN THE SAN JAUN TUFF
Comment (Deposit): DISTRICT MAY BE CALLED IRON SPRINGS
References
Reference (Deposit): U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1932-1945.
Reference (Deposit): KOSCHMANN, A.H., AND BERGENDAHL, M.H., 1968, PRINCIPAL GOLD-PRODUCING DISTRICTS OF THE UNITED STATES: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 610, 283 P.
Reference (Deposit): FRIEDMAN, JULES D., AND HELER, JOAN S., TECTONIC TRENDS OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARADOX BASIN, SOUTHEASTER UTAH AND SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO, AS DERIVED FROM LANDSAT MULTISPECTRAL SCANNER IMAGING AND GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOOGIC MAPPING: US. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 200-C,D, 40 P.
Reference (Deposit): MOSIER, D.L., SINGER, D.A., AND SALEM, B.B., 1983, GEOLOGIC AND GRADE-TONNAGE INFORMATION ON VOLCANIC-HOSTED COPPER-ZINC-LEAD MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSITS: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN-FILE REPORT 83-89, 78 P.
Reference (Production): USBM YB (1932-45)
Colorado Mining Photos
Check out this collection of Colorado's best historic mining photos: Incredible Photos of Colorado Mining Scenes.
