Elk Creek Barite Mine

The Elk Creek Barite Mine is a barium-barite mine located in Missoula county, Montana at an elevation of 4,692 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: Elk Creek Barite Mine

Commodity

Primary: Barium-Barite
Secondary: Lead
Secondary: Zinc

Location

State: Montana
County: Missoula
District: Elk Creek District

Land Status

Land ownership: State 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.

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Type: Surface/Underground

Ownership

Owner Name: Montana Barite Co.
Home Office: P.O. Box 3296, Missoula, Mt 59801

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1951
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: M

Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: Garnet Range

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Form: PINCH AND SWELL

Structure

Type: R
Description: Bearmouth Overthrust

Type: L
Description: Garnet Stock

Alterations

Not available

Rocks

Name: Quartzite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic

Name: Quartzite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic

Analytical Data

Analytical Data: 94.5% BA

Materials

Ore: Barite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Sphalerite
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Pyrrhotite

Comments

Comment (Location): C E/2 SEC 16, N/2 SEC 15, LAT. LONG. ON MINE SEC. 16 ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1965)

Comment (Production): PRODUCTION MAINLY DURING 1950'S AND 1960'S.

Comment (Deposit): SW END VEIN PINCHES OUT ON 200 FT LEVEL, NE THE VEINSPLITS INTO 2 NARROW VEINLETS, CUT BY SEVERAL CROSS FAULTS

Comment (Workings): MINE HAS BEEN ACTIVE SINCE REPORT BELOW WAS WRITTEN THUS MINE NOW LARGER. MINE HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE THE 1960'S. 2 ADITS, STOPES, RISES, (1955) OPEN CUTS. TUNNEL TO GREENOUGH ORE BODE E. OF CREEK IS MAIN PRODUCER FOR BA. ONE OPEN PIT IN SECTION 15 STILL OPEN SUMMER OF 1980.

References

Reference (Deposit): MBMG IC 22, P. 13-15.

Reference (Deposit): MBMG BULL 8, P. 42-3

Reference (Deposit): MBMG BULL 115, P. 20.

Reference (Deposit): 1953 GEOLMAP MBMG PUBLISHED IC 2

Reference (Production): MBMG BULL 8,P. 42.

Principal Gold Districts of Montana

In Montana, 54 mining districts have each have produced more than 10,000 ounces of gold. The largest producers are Butte, Helena, Marysville, and Virginia City, each having produced more than one million ounces. Twenty seven other districts are each credited with between 100,000 and one million ounces of gold production. Read more: Principal Gold Districts of Montana.