The Lee Buck Group is a ree, thorium, and niobium (columbium) mine located in Lemhi county, Idaho at an elevation of 5,801 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: 5,801 Feet (1,768 Meters)
Commodity: REE, Thorium, Niobium (Columbium)
Lat, Long: 45.45028, -114.23139
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.
Lee Buck Group MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Lee Buck Group
Secondary: Lee Buck No. 3 Claim
Secondary: Squaw Creek Prospect
Secondary: Lee-Buck Claims
Commodity
Primary: REE
Primary: Thorium
Primary: Niobium (Columbium)
Tertiary: Titanium
Location
State: Idaho
County: Lemhi
District: Indian Creek 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: Salmon National Forest
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Type: Surface/Underground
Ownership
Owner Name: Union Carbide Corp.
Owner Name: Oscar A. Westfall, Lee Ash, E. R. Hagel
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Occurrence
Operation Type: Surface-Underground
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
Form: PINCH AND SWELL, PODS, LENSES, IRREGULAR BUNCHES
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Name: Schist
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Schist
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Allanite
Ore: Rutile
Ore: Ilmenite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Monazite
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Apatite
Gangue: Magnetite
Gangue: Barite
Gangue: Actinolite
Gangue: Calcite
Gangue: Pyrrhotite
Comments
Comment (Deposit): Principal Vein Is Several Ft. Thick.
Comment (Geology): Schist Strikes E-W, Dips 50 Deg S.
Comment (Location): In Upper Reaches Of Squaw Creek; Not Far To The E. Of Silver King Group.
Comment (Commodity): Mineralization Spotty Though Locally Rich
Comment (Development): Lee Buck Property Comprises 12 Claims; Nos. 3 And 4 Are On Spur Immediately N. Of Claims 13, 14, 15.
References
Reference (Deposit): Anderson, A. L., 1958, Uranium, Thorium, Columbium, And Rare Earth Deposits In The Salmon Region, Lemhi County, Idaho: Idaho Bureau Of Mines And Geology Pamphlet 115, 81 P.
Reference (Deposit): Sturm, F. H., 1954, General Geology Of Some Replacement Monazite Deposits In Lemhi County, Idaho: Moscow, Idaho,, Univ. Of Idaho, M. S. Thesis, 64 P.
Reference (Deposit): 1954 Direxpl Molybdenum Corp. Of America
Reference (Deposit): 1956 Direxpl Union Carbide Corp.
Reference (Deposit): 1958 Recon Idaho Bureau Of Mines And Geology Pamphlet 115
Reference (Deposit): Idaho Bureau Of Mines And Geol. Pamphlet 99, 1954, P. 15-16.
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.
