Windy River

The Windy River is a chromium mine located in Alaska.

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

Name: Windy River

State:  Alaska

County:  na

Elevation:

Commodity: Chromium

Lat, Long: 59.39, -151.48000

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.


Satelite image of the Windy River

Windy River MRDS details

Site Name

Primary: Windy River


Commodity

Primary: Chromium


Location

State: Alaska
District: Homer


Land Status

Not available


Holdings

Not available


Workings

Not available


Ownership

Not available


Production

Not available


Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Prospect
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant:


Physiography

Not available


Mineral Deposit Model

Model Name: Placer Au-PGE


Orebody

Not available


Structure

Not available


Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: None.


Rocks

Not available


Analytical Data

Not available


Materials

Ore: Chromite


Comments

Comment (Workings): Workings / Exploration = Anaconda Minerals and the US Bureau of Mines cooperatively did surface mapping, seismic profiles, bulk sampling and drilled reverse circulation drill holes in 1982 (Foley and Barker, 1985). During World War II, Rutledge (1946) investigated the placers around the headwaters of Windy River and down slope from the Turner Stringer zone.

Comment (Geology): Age = Quaternary.

Comment (Reference): Primary Reference = Foley, 1985

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = Bedrock in the drainage is McHugh Formation slate and graywacke. A joint study by Anaconda Minerals and the U.S. Bureau of Mines indicates there are 20,920,000 yards of sand and gravel that contain 1.33% chromic oxide per yard (Foley and Barker, 1985). The deposit is approximately 2.5 miles long, 0.25 mile wide and varies from 55 to 72 feet thick. Within the mineralized area, Windy River flows as a perennial meandering stream with a gradient of 120 feet per mile. Examination of the drill logs and assay results shows that the chromite is disseminated throughout the gravels and not concentrated on bedrock. Barren overburden, defined as containing less than 1% chromic oxide ranges from less than 3 feet to over 30 feet thick with an average of six feet. To date no production has occurred from this drainage.

Comment (Reserve-Resource): Reserves = the reserves are 20,920,000 cubic yards with an average grade of 1.33% chromic oxide per yard (Foley and Barker, 1985).

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Placer Cr


References

Reference (Deposit): Rutledge, F.A., 1946, Exploration of Red Mountain chromite deposits, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: U.S. Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 3885, 26 p.

Reference (Deposit): Guild, P.W., 1942, Chromite deposits of Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 931-G, p. 139-175.

Reference (Deposit): Foley, J.Y., and Barker, J.C., 1985, Chromite deposits along the Border Ranges fault, part 1, Field investigations and descriptions of chromite deposits: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8990, 58 p.


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