The Tip Top Lode is a beryllium, feldspar, mica, and lithium mine located in Custer county, South Dakota at an elevation of 5,400 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: 5,400 Feet (1,646 Meters)
Commodity: Beryllium, Feldspar, Mica, Lithium
Lat, Long: 43.71556, -103.66917
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.
Tip Top Lode MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Tip Top Lode
Commodity
Primary: Beryllium
Primary: Feldspar
Primary: Mica
Primary: Lithium
Location
State: South Dakota
County: Custer
District: Custer 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: Black Hills National Forest
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Type: Surface/Underground
Ownership
Owner Name: W. Nevin
Owner Name: International Minerals And Chemical Corp.
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Year: 1880
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Interior Plains
Physiographic Province: Great Plains Province
Physiographic Section: Black Hills
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: CRESCENT-SHAPED DIKE
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Name: Pegmatite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Pegmatite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Pegmatite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Lithiophilite
Ore: Muscovite
Ore: Microcline
Ore: Beryl
Gangue: Amblygonite
Gangue: Apatite
Gangue: Tourmaline
Gangue: Purpurite
Gangue: Albite
Comments
Comment (Location): NE 1/4, SW 1/4
Comment (Production): ITEMS 1 AND 2 PRODUCED MORE THAN 1000 LTU.
Comment (Development): ONE UNPATENTED CLAIM
Comment (Workings): 40 FT DEEP. TWO OTHER OPENCUTS 50 FT APART THAT ARE 35 FT LONG AND 15 FT DEEP. ONE SHAFT.
References
Reference (Deposit): U. S. BUREAU OF MINES, 1955, BLACK HILLS MINERAL ATLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA: PART 2, BUREAU OF MINES INFORMATION CIRCULAR 7707
Reference (Deposit): FISHER, D.J., 1942, PRELIMINARY REPORT ON SOME PEGMATITES OF THE CUSTER DISTRICT, SOUTH DAKOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS 44
Reference (Deposit): BIENIEWSKI, C.L., AND AGNEW, A.F., 1964, THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF SOUTH DAKOTA IN 1962, SOUTH DAKOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS REPORT 10
Reference (Deposit): BIENIEWSKI, C.L., AND MCGREGOR, D.J., 1965, THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF SOUTH DAKOTA IN 1963, SOUTH DAKOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS REPORT 11
Reference (Production): U. S. BUREAU OF MINES, 1955, BLACK HILLS MINERAL ATLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA: PART 2, BUREAU OF MINES INFORMATION CIRCULAR 7707 / SOUTH DAKOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERAL REPORTS 10 AND 11.
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