Orange Hill

The Orange Hill is a molybdenum and copper mine located in Alaska at an elevation of 2,900 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

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Site Name

Primary: Orange Hill
Secondary: Alaska Nabesna Corporation
Secondary: Sargent Mine
Secondary: Camp Bird
Secondary: Lemon
Secondary: Nebesna
Secondary: North Star Group
Secondary: Glacier Claim
Secondary: California Group
Secondary: Copper King
Secondary: Unnamed
Secondary: Unnamed (north of upper Antler Creek)

Commodity

Primary: Molybdenum
Primary: Copper
Secondary: Gold
Secondary: Silver
Tertiary: Zinc

Location

State: Alaska
District: Chisana

Land Status

Land ownership: Federal
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

Type: Patented
Type: Located Claim

Workings

Type: Surface

Ownership

Owner Name: RTZ Corp.
Percent: 100.0
Info Year: 1990
Years: 1990 -

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Prospect
Operation Type: Surface
Mining Method: Open Pit
Milling Method: Flotation
Discovery Year: 1898
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: Y
Deposit Size: L

Physiography

Not available

Mineral Deposit Model

Model Name: Porphyry Cu-Mo

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Not available

Rocks

Not available

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Molybdenite
Ore: Bornite
Ore: Tetrahedrite
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Pyrite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Anhydrite
Gangue: Calcite
Gangue: Gypsum
Unknown: Limonite
Unknown: Epidote
Unknown: Magnetite
Unknown: Biotite
Unknown: Chlorite
Unknown: Feldspar
Unknown: Hornblende
Unknown: Kaolin
Unknown: Sericite

Comments

Comment (Geology): Alteration = A central 400 by 2,000 meter altered zone contains abundant biotite, quartz veinlets, minor K-feldspar, chlorite, and sericite. It is cut by late anhydrite veins. An outer 1,000 by 3,000 meter altered zone contains chlorite, minor sericite, and anhydrite. The deposit has been extensively oxidized and iron-oxide staining is abundant.

Comment (Age): Mid-Cretaceous. The intrusive host rocks to the Orange Hill deposit are considered to be part of the Nabesna pluton. K/Ar ages for the Nabesna pluton range from 105 +/- 4.0 to 114 +/- 3.4 Ma (Richter and others, 1975; Richter, Lanphere, and Matson, 1975). Many varieties of hornblende-plagioclase porphyry form irregular intrusive bodies into the Nabesna pluton and other regional bedrock units in the area; these are considered to be Tertiary in age (Richter, 1973).

Comment (Reserve-Resource): The average grade of the unoxidized mineralization is estimated to be 0.35 percent copper and 0.02 percent molybdenum (Richter and others, 1975). Gold values range up to 0.04 ounce per ton and probably average about 0.005 ounce per ton (Van Alstine and Black, 1944; Richter and others, 1975). The average silver grade is estimated to be 0.01 ounce per ton (Van Alstine and Black, 1944). Three estimates of the tonnage and grade of the Orange Hill deposit are: 1) 210 million tons grading 0.04 per cent copper and 0.02 percent molybdenum (Van Alstine and Black, 1944); 2) 86 million tons grading 0.3 or more percent copper and 0.015 percent molybdenite (Linn, 1973); and 3) 320 million tons grading 0.35 percent copper and 0.02 percent molybdenum (Richter and others, 1975). Richter and others (1975) estimate the deposit contains 1.6 million ounces of gold and 3.2 million ounces of silver.

Comment (Workings): The Orange Hill porphyry copper prospect was first discovered and staked as early as 1902 for its possible gold content (Mendenhall and Schrader, 1903). By 1940, 18 mining claims, a millsite, and a homestead had been patented. The mining claims include several contiguous claims that extend southeast across contact metamorphic deposits (Moffit, 1943; 1954; also see NB044). Over the years, the prospect has been extensively explored by open cuts, shafts, short adits, and much diamond drilling. The underground workings total only 250 to 300 feet and most were reported be caved by 1944 (Van Alstine and Black, 1944).

Comment (Reserve-Resource): E/MJ 5/79, P83. , U.S.G.S. PUB. (MAP I-655)

Comment (Reference): MINING WORLD, 1971, NO.4, P. 4-8

Comment (Deposit): USGS CRIB W016505 PROPOSED BENEFICIATION WITH BOND CREEK DEPOSIT 0020780016 FEED RATE: BOND CREEK=56%, ORANGE HILL=44% LANDS WITHDRAWN AS WRANGELL MT. NATIONAL PRESERVE PATENTED CLAIMS UNDER U.S. PAT. NO. 914107, DATED 1923 PATENTED CLAIMS UNDER M.S. 1414-A ROAD PRESENTLY EXISTS TO NABESNA- 14 MILES FROM ORANGE HILL ALL ELECTRICAL POWER MUST BE GENERATED ON SITE WASTE VOLUME ESTIMATED AT 12.1 CU FT/SHORT TON POWDER FACTOR CONSIDERED AT .25 LB/S.T. FOR ANFO EXPLOSIVE

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

Comment (Geology): The Orange Hill porphyry copper prospect was first discovered and staked as early as 1902 for its possible gold content (Mendenhall and Schrader, 1903). By 1940, 18 mining claims had been patented, including contiguous claims that extend southeast across contact metamorphic deposits (Moffit, 1943, 1954; also see NB044). Over the years, the prospect has been extensively explored by open cuts, short adits, and much diamond drilling. Pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite occur in quartz veinlets and as disseminations in quartz diorite and granodiorite intruded by quartz plagioclase porphyry (Richter and others, 1975). Hydrothermal alteration is well developed in the Orange Hill deposit (Linn, 1973; Hollister and others, 1975; Richter and others, 1975). A central 400 by 2,000 meter altered zone contains abundant biotite, quartz veinlets, minor K-feldspar, chlorite, and sericite. It is cut by late anhydrite veins. An outer 1,000 by 3,000 meter altered zone contains chlorite, minor sericite, and anhydrite. The deposit has been extensively oxidized and iron-oxide staining is abundant. Surface copper grades are less than 0.4 percent and average about 0.25 percent. Surface molybdenum grades are as high as 0.8 percent but average about 0.01 percent. The average grade of the non-oxidized mineralization is estimated to be 0.35 percent copper and 0.02 percent molybdenum (Richter and others, 1975). Gold values range up to 0.04 ounce per ton and probably average about 0.005 ounce per ton (Van Alstine and Black, 1944; Richter and others, 1975 ). The average silver grade is estimated to be 0.01 ounce per ton (Van Alstine and Black, 1944). Three estimates of the tonnage and grade of the Orange Hill deposit are: 1) 210 million tons grading 0.04 per cent copper and 0.02 percent molybdenum (Van Alstine and Black, 1944); 2) 86 million tons grading 0.3 or more percent copper and 0.015 percent molybdenite (Linn, 1973); and 3) 320 million tons grading 0.35 percent copper and 0.02 percent molybdenum (Richter and others, 1975). Richter and others (1975) estimate the deposit contains 1.6 million ounces of gold and 3.2 million ounces of silver. The Orange Hill deposit is within quartz diorite and granodiorite of the southwestern border zone of the mid-Cretaceous Nabesna pluton. The granitic rocks in turn are intruded by quartz-plagioclase porphyry that is also inferred to be Cretaceous in age (Richter, 1973). Many varieties of hornblende-plagioclase porphyry form irregular intrusive bodies in the Nabesna pluton and other regional bedrock units in the area; these are considered to be Tertiary in age (Richter, 1973). K/Ar ages for the Nabesna pluton range from 105 +/- 4.0 to 114 +/- 3.4 Ma (Richter and others, 1975; Richter, Lanphere, and Matson, 1975). Country rocks to the Nabesna pluton at Orange Hill include upper Paleozoic metavolcanic rocks, Permian limestone, Permian or Triassic argillite, and Triassic, Nikolai Greenstone (Richter, 1973).

Comment (Reserve-Resource): THIS DEPOSIT IS COMBINED WITH THE BOND CREEK DEPOSIT FOR THE COPPER SUPPLY ANALYSIS STUDY. NEW PARENT COMPANY IS RTZ CORP. AS OF 6/89. ORANGE HILL: 250 MIL. MT @ .35% CU, .015% MO - DEMO (MINEABLE) 320 MIL. MT @ .35% CU, .012% MO - IDENTIFIED DEMONSTRATED IN-SITU RESOURCE AS OF 12/31/78 DEMONSTRATED MINEABLE RESERVE ESTIMATED AT: 187,000,000 MT @ 0.35% CU, 0.015% MO

Comment (Ownership): OWNERSHIP ADDRESS A.J.V. CORPORATION 10018 NORTH HUNTINGTON ROAD SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 99218 TEL: (509)466-8636

References

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., and Matson, N.A., 1970, Geochemical data from the Nabesna A-4 quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 70-276, 14 P., 1 sheet, scale 1:63,360.

Reference (Deposit): Direxp 1940

Reference (Geology): Linn, G.W., 1973, Geology of Orange Hill, Alaska: Berkeley, University of California, M.A. thesis, 119 p.

Reference (Geology): Richter, D.H., Lanphere, M.A., and Matson, N.A., Jr., 1975, Granite plutonism and metamorphism, eeastern Alaska Range, Alaska: Geological Society of American Bulletin, v. 86, p. 819-820.

Reference (Deposit): Mendenhall, W.C., and Schrader, F.C., 1903, The mineral resources of the Mount Wrangell district, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 15, 71 p.

Reference (Deposit): MTA 82 No. E-49

Reference (Reference): Cobb, E.H., and Richter, D.H., 1980, Summaries of data on and list of references to metallic and selected nonmetallic mineral deposits in the Nabesna quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-927, 117 p.

Reference (Deposit): Bundtzen, T.K., Eakins, G.R., and Conwell, C.N., 1983, Alaska mineral resources 1981-82: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, Annual Report 1981-82, 153 p., scale 1:2,500,000, 4 sheets.
Pages: 11

Reference (Deposit): Engineering and Mining Journal 7905 No. 145
Pages: 83

Reference (Deposit): MacKevett, E.M., Jr., and Holloway, C.D., 1977, Map showing metalliferous and selected non-metalliferous mineral deposits in the eastern part of southern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-169-A, 99 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:1,000,000.

Reference (Deposit): Hollister, V.F., Anzalone, S.A., and Richter, D.H., 1975, Porphyry copper belts of southern Alaska and contiguous Yukon Territory: CIM Bulletin (Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Bulletin), V. 68, NO. 756, P. 104-112.

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., 1976, Geologic map of the Nabesna quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-932, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Reference (Deposit): CIM BULL 7504 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum?

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., 1973, Reconnaissance geological map of the Nabesna A-4 quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-789, Scale 1:63,360.

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., Albert, N.R.D., Barnes, D.F., Griscom, A., Marsh, S.P., and Singer, D.A., 1976, The Alaskan mineral resource assessment program ?background information to accompany folio of geologic and mineral resource maps of the Nabesna quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 718, 27p.

Reference (Deposit): Herreid, G., 1961, Geology and ore deposits of Alaska, State Division of Mines and Minerals, (Reprinted from Mining Enpineering Magazine).

Reference (Reserve-Resource): Berg, H.C., Eberlein, G.D., and MacKevett, Jr., E.M., 1964, Metallic mineral resources, in Mineral and water resources of Alaska, Report prepared by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources at the request of Senator Ernest Gruening of Alaska of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States Senate, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., p. 95-125.

Reference (Deposit): Berg, H.C., Eberlein, G.D., and MacKevett, Jr., E.M., 1964, Metallic mineral resources, in Mineral and water resources of Alaska, Report prepared by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources at the request of Senator Ernest Gruening of Alaska of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States Senate, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., p. 95-125.

Reference (Deposit): U.S. Geological Survey, 1977 (1978), Geological Survey research, 1977: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1050, 411 p.
Pages: 33

Reference (Deposit): Bundtzen, T.K., Eakins, G.R., and Conwell, C.N., 1982, Review of Alaska mineral resources 1981: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 1981, 48 p.

Reference (Deposit): Pilgrim, E.R., 1931, Alaska Nabesna Orange Hill copper claims, in Stewart, B.D., Report on cooperation between the Territory of Alaska and the United States in making mining investigations and in inspection of mines for the biennium ending March 31, 1931, p. 69-74.

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., 1972, Reconnaissance geologic map of the Nabesna A-4 quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report: Technical Data Unit classification number 509, 1 sheet. Superseded by: Richter, D.H., 1972, Reconnaissance geologic map of the Nabesna A-4 quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 72-313, 1 sheet.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1930, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1928: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 813-A, p. 1-72.
Pages: 54

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., and Matson, N.A., 1972, Metallic mineral resources map of the Nabesna quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-422, scale 1:250,000.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1929, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1926: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 797-A, p. 1-50, in U.S. Geological Survey Staff, 1929, Mineral resources of Alaska, report on progress of investigations in 1926: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 797, 227 p.
Pages: 36

Reference (Deposit): Capps, S.R., 1915, Mineral resources of the Chisana-White River district, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 622-K, p. 189-228, in Brooks, A.H., 1915, Mineral resources of Alaska; report on progress of investigations in 1914: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 622, 380 p.
Pages: 227

Reference (Deposit): Moffit, F.H., Knopf, Adolph, and Capps, S.R., 1910, Mineral resources of the Nabesna-White River district, Alaska, with a section on Quaternary deposits and glaciation in the Nabesna-White River district by S.R. Capps: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 417, 64 p.
Pages: 54-55, 58

Reference (Deposit): Mendenhall, W.C., and Schrader, F.C., 1903, The mineral resources of the Mount Wrangell district, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 15, 71 p.
Pages: 33-45

Reference (Reserve-Resource): Engineering and Mining Journal 7905
Pages: 83

Reference (Ownership): ALASKA KARDEX 078-014

Reference (Ownership): ALASKA KARDEX 078-061

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., Singer, D.A., and Cox, D.P., 1975, Mineral resources map of the Nabesna quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-655-K, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., and Matson, N.A., Jr., 1970, Geochemical data from the Nabesna A-4 quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report: Technical Data Unit classification number 398, 8 p., 1 sheet. Superseded by: Richter, D.H., and Matson, N.A., Jr., 1970, Geochemical data from the Nabesna A-4 quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 70-276, 8 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:63,360.

Reference (Deposit): Richter, D.H., 1967, Geology of the upper Slana-Mentasta Pass area, southcentral Alaska: Alaska Division of Mines and Minerals Geologic Report 30, 30 p., 2 sheets, scale 1:63,360.
Pages: 5, 14, 18-19, 24

Reference (Deposit): Berg, H.C., and Cobb, E.H., 1967, Metalliferous lode deposits of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1246, 254 p.
Pages: 205, 208-209

Reference (Deposit): McInnes, Wilmer, 1957, Molybdenum, a materials survey, with a chapter on geology and resources by S.C. Creasy: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular 7784, 77 p.
Pages: 9-10

Reference (Deposit): Nelson, A.E., West, W.S., and Matsko, J.J., (1952) 1954, Reconnaissance for radioactive deposits in eastern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 348, 21 p.
Pages: 4

Reference (Deposit): Moffit, F.H., 1954, Geology of the eastern part of the Alaska Range and adjacent area: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 989-D, p. 65-218.
Pages: 189, 201, 203, 205-207, 209

Reference (Deposit): Twenhofel, W.S., 1953, Potential Alaskan mineral resources for proposed electrochemical and electrometallurgical industries in the upper Lynn Canal area, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 252, 14 p.
Pages: 5-6

Reference (Deposit): Wedow, Helmuth, Jr., 1953, Preliminary summary of reconnaissance for uranium and thorium in Alaska, 1952: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 248, 15 p.
Pages: 6-7

Reference (Deposit): Wedow, Helmuth, Jr., White, M.G. and Moxham, R.M., 1952, Interim report on an appraisal of the uranium possibilities of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 51, 123 p.
Pages: 108

Reference (Deposit): Van Alstine, R.E., and Black, R.F., 1944, Mineral deposits at Orange Hill, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76, 16 p., 1 sheet.
Pages: 1-16

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1942, Occurrences of molybdenum in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 926-C, p. 161-210.
Pages: 193

Reference (Deposit): Moffit, F.H., 1943, Geology of the Nutzotin Mountains, Alaska, with a section on The igneous rocks, by R.C. Wayland, and Gold deposits near Nabesna, by R.C. Wayland: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 933-B, p. 103-199.
Pages: 166-168

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1933, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1930: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 836-A, p. 1-83.
Pages: 63

Reference (Deposit): Moffit, F.H., 1937, Recent mineral developments in the Copper River region: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 880-B, p. 97-109.
Pages: 103

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1932, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1929, in Smith, P.S., and others Mineral resources of Alaska, report on progress of investigations in 1929: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 824-A, p. 1-81.
Pages: 60

Reference (Deposit): SR38 No. 73
Pages: 45

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