Idaho Gold Chief Prospect

The Idaho Gold Chief Prospect is a gold mine located in Elmore county, Idaho at an elevation of 5,699 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: Idaho Gold Chief Prospect
Secondary: Tip Top
Secondary: Bar Lode
Secondary: Henry Clay Lode
Secondary: Chieftain Consolidated

Commodity

Primary: Gold
Tertiary: Zinc
Tertiary: Lead
Tertiary: Silver

Location

State: Idaho
County: Elmore
District: Rocky Bar 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: Boise National Forest

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Type: Underground

Ownership

Owner Name: W. M. Caldwell

Owner Name: Idaho Gold Chief Mining Co.

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Underground
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: M

Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: Sawtooth Mountains

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Form: SEAMS AND STRINGERS

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Oxidation

Rocks

Name: Lamprophyre
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Pliocene

Name: Lamprophyre
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Late Cretaceous

Name: Lamprophyre
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Late Cretaceous

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Scheelite
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Galena
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Pyrite

Comments

Comment (Development): Holdings Are Extensive

Comment (Workings): At Least One Shaft 100 Ft. Deep And A 75 Ft. Winze

References

Reference (Deposit): Anderson, A. L., 1943, Geology Of The Gold - Bearing Lodes Of Rocky Bar District, Elmore Co., Idaho: Idaho Bureau Of Mines & Geol. Pam. 65. P. 38.

Reference (Deposit): Jones, R.W., 1959, Idaho Gold Chief: Idaho Bur Mines And Geology Open-File Rept.

Reference (Deposit): Mining Industry Of Idaho, 1973-1974, Seventy-First Annual Report, 98 P.

Reference (Deposit): 1943 Geolmap Idaho Bureau Of Mines & Geol. Pam. 6

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.