The Surprise Mine is a chromium mine located in Fresno county, California.
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.
Surprise Mine MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Surprise Mine
Secondary: No. 4 of 5 Claims In Saddle Blanket Group
Commodity
Primary: Chromium
Location
State: California
County: Fresno
District: Watts Valley Area
Land Status
Not available
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Pacific Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Cascade-Sierra Mountains
Physiographic Section: Sierra Nevada
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: IRREGULAR
Structure
Not available
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Not available
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Chromite
Comments
Comment (Production): OPERATIONS DISCONTINUED AFTER 1916 PRODUCTION.
Comment (Workings): WORKINGS CONSIST OF AN OPEN CUT 31 FT LONG AND AN ADIT 22 FT LONG.
Comment (Geology): THE CHROMITE DEPOSITS OF WATTS VALLEY OCCUR ON THE EASTERN LIMB OF A SYNCLINAL, NE PLUNGING ULTRAMAFIC SILL. THE EASTERN LIMB, KNOWN AS HOG MTN, IS A LITTLE OVER A MILE WIDE, WHILE THE WESTERN LIMB, WHICH FORMS RED MTN, AVERAGES 3 MILES WIDE. THE TWO LIMBS JOIN TO THE NW AND TOGETHER FORM A DISCONTINUOUS TRIANGULAR EXPOSURE OF PERIDOTITE 10 MILES LONG AND 8 MILES WIDE ACROSS THE BASE.
References
Reference (Production): CDMG BULL 134, P. 90.
Reference (Deposit): CDMG BULL 134, P. 90
California Gold
"Where to Find Gold in California" 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 California. Read more: Where to Find Gold in California.
