The Big Elk Mine is a lead and copper mine located in Shoshone county, Idaho at an elevation of 4,081 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: 4,081 Feet (1,244 Meters)
Commodity: Lead, Copper
Lat, Long: 47.3575, -115.63330
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.
Big Elk Mine MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Big Elk Mine
Secondary: Idaho Copper and Gold
Secondary: Inc.
Commodity
Primary: Lead
Primary: Copper
Secondary: Gold
Secondary: Silver
Location
State: Idaho
County: Shoshone
District: Coeur D'Alene 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: St. Joe National Forest
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Type: Underground
Ownership
Owner Name: Idaho Copper And Gold, Inc.
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Method: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: St. Joe Mountains
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: IRREGULAR BUNCHES
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Name: Quartzite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Quartzite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: SMELTER ASSAYS OF DEVELOPED ORE: 30% CU, 2-3 OZ/TON AG, $10 AU PER TON (1911)
Materials
Ore: Silver
Ore: Gold
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Calcite
Gangue: Quartz
Comments
Comment (Location): LOCATED JUST ABOVE CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND PUGET SOUND RAILWAY TRACKS
Comment (Development): 15 UNPATENTED CLAIMS
Comment (Deposit): 5 VEIN ZONES RANGE IN STRIKE N 40 - 70 DEG W
References
Reference (Deposit): PARDEE, J. T., 1911 , GEOLOGY AND MINERALIZATION OF THE UPPER ST. JOE RIVER BASIN, IDAHO: USGS BULL. 470 , P. 39 - 61
Reference (Deposit): WESTERN MINING NEWS, 1974 - 75 DIRECTORY OF MINES IN IDAHO (COEUR D'ALENES) AND WASHINGTON, P. 67
Reference (Deposit): WESTERN MINING NEWS, APRIL 13 , 1974
Reference (Deposit): 1911 OTHER J. T. PARDEE, BULL. 47
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.
