The Merle Zone is a cobalt mine located in Lemhi county, Idaho at an elevation of 7,051 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: 7,051 Feet (2,149 Meters)
Commodity: Cobalt
Lat, Long: 45.1253, -114.33530
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.
Merle Zone MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Merle Zone
Secondary: Blackbird Mine
Commodity
Primary: Cobalt
Tertiary: Nickel
Tertiary: Copper
Location
State: Idaho
County: Lemhi
District: Blackbird District
Land Status
Land ownership: Private
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
Not available
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Occurrence
Operation Type: Underground
Discovery Method: Geophysical Anomaly
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: Salmon River Mountains
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration: Silicification
Rocks
Name: Mafic Intrusive Rock
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Mafic Intrusive Rock
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Mafic Intrusive Rock
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Eocene
Name: Mafic Intrusive Rock
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Eocene
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: .8 % NI
Materials
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Cobaltite
Gangue: Magnetite
Gangue: Quartz
Comments
Comment (Geology): Original alteration entry: Local - Silicification
Comment (Geology): Original ore control entry: Irregular Shear Zone
References
Reference (Deposit): Bennett, E. H., 1976, Personal Communication
Reference (Deposit): Mines And Prospects Of The Elk City Quad., IBMG Mines And Prospects Map Series, V E Mitchell, Et Al.
Reference (Deposit): 1955 Geochem Calera Mines - Geochem Anomal
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.
