The Earl Lode is a feldspar, mica, and beryllium mine located in Custer county, South Dakota at an elevation of 5,351 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: 5,351 Feet (1,631 Meters)
Commodity: Feldspar, Mica, Beryllium
Lat, Long: 43.7525, -103.52750
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.
Earl Lode MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Earl Lode
Commodity
Primary: Feldspar
Primary: Mica
Primary: Beryllium
Tertiary: 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: Langford Landis And Delbert Mckenna
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1937
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: DIKE
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Albitization Has Been Prevasive
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
Name: Pegmatite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: ROCK CONTAINS 10 TO 20 PERCENT MICA.
Materials
Ore: Albite
Ore: Muscovite
Ore: Beryl
Ore: Lithiophilite
Gangue: Microcline
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Triphylite
Gangue: Tourmaline
Gangue: Cleavelandite
Comments
Comment (Location): NW 1/4, NW 1/4, NE 1/4
Comment (Deposit): AT LEAST 3 ZONES - MOST MICA IS IN THE WALL ZONE. BERYL IS FOUND IN THE WALL AND INTERMEDIATE ZONE. MUSCOVITE BOOKS UP TO 30 INCHES HAVE BEEN MINED. MICA IS RULED, AIR STAINED, SOFT AND FRIABLE.
Comment (Workings): PIT IS 50 FEET DEEP.
References
Reference (Production): U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, 1955, BLACK HILLS MINERAL ATLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA: PART 2, BUREAU OF MINES INFORMATION CIRCULAR 7707
Reference (Deposit): U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, 1954, BLACK HILLS MINERAL ATLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA: PART 1, BUREAU OF MINES INFORMATION CIRCULAR 7688
Reference (Deposit): FISHER, D.J., 1945, PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE MINERALOGY OF SOME PEGMATITES NEAR CUSTER, SOUTH DAKOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS 50
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