Talapoosa Deposit

Site Name

Primary: Talapoosa Deposit
Secondary: Dyke Adit Pit
Secondary: Christianson Shaft
Secondary: Justice Prospect
Secondary: Bear Creek Zone
Secondary: Main Pit
Secondary: East Hill Pit
Secondary: Talapoosa Joint Venture
Secondary: Talapoosa Gold Project
Secondary: Alpha
Secondary: Omega
Secondary: Talapoosa Mines

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Commodity

Primary: Silver
Primary: Gold
Tertiary: Copper
Tertiary: Zinc
Tertiary: Lead
Tertiary: Mercury

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Location

State: Nevada
County: Lyon
District: Talapoosa District

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Land Status

Land ownership: Private
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.

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Holdings

Not available

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Workings

Not available

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Ownership

Owner Name: Pegasus Gold Inc.
Percent: 70.00
Home Office: Washington
Info Year: 1994

Owner Name: Miramar Mining Corp. (Acq 100% Of Athena 01/95)
Percent: 100.0
Home Office: Canada
Info Year: 1996
Years: 1995 -

Owner Name: Athena Gold Corporation (100% Sub - Miramar Mining Corp)
Percent: 100.0
Home Office: Canada
Info Year: 1996
Years: 1994 -

Owner Name: Pegasus Gold, Inc. (70%)/Athena Gold Corp. (30%) Joint Venture

Owner Name: American Gold Capital Corp.
Info Year: 2004

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Production

Not available

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Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Producer
Deposit Type: quartz stockwork veins; silicified breccias
Plant Type: Leach
Plant Subtype: Precipitation
Operation Type: Surface-Underground
Mining Method: Open Pit
Milling Method: Leach-Precipitation
Year First Production: 1864
Year Last Production: 1926
Discovery Year: 1864
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: Y
Deposit Size: S

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Physiography

Not available

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Mineral Deposit Model

Model Name: Epithermal vein, Comstock

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Orebody

Form: tabular

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Structure

Type: R
Description: The deposit occurs at the intersection of the Gooseberry-Talapoosa Lineament (a major E-W trending structural zone) and the NW-trending Bear Creek structural zone.

Type: L
Description: Important mineralized structures include E-W and NW-striking high angle faults and associated fractures. NE-striking high angle faults are generally post-mineralization.

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Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Alteration types present are, in order of oldest to youngest: propylitic, phyllic, silicic, argillic, and opaline alterations. The pervasive propylitic assemblage consists of chlorite, zeolites, calcite, smectite clays, sodic rims on plagioclase (partial albitization), minor quartz and epidote, and trace to 2% disseminated pyrite. Magnetite is generally stable. The intensity of propylitic alteration increases with proximity to mineralized veins. Phyllic alteration is dominated by sericite and pyrite (3-5%) with lesser amounts of quartz and adularia. Celadonite and illite are also present. Phyllic alteration is generally pervasive throughout the andesite unit and the andesite breccia subunit. The silicic assemblage consists of multiple stages of banded chalcedony and drusy quartz adularia and contains minor sulfides, sulfosalts, and electrum. Quartz-adularia intergrowths commonly replace calcite cleavage planes. Silicic alteration is manifest by a well developed vein stockwork crosscutting the andesite unit, as a pervasive replacement, and as matrix to irregular zones of hydrothermal breccias. The silicic assemblage overprints both phyllic and propylitic alteration and represents the main stage of precious metal deposition. The argillic assemblage consists of montmorillonite clays, kaolinite, alunite, allophane, halloysite, jarosite, gypsum, and iron oxides. Argillic alteration is best developed in fault zones. It also occurs as a pervasive supergene product of pyrite oxidation, overprinting both phyllic and propylitic assemblages. The opaline assemblage consists of massive, multi-colored opaline-chalcedonic breccia containing iron oxides and occasional cinnabar. Opaline breccia appears to be replacing andesite tuff-breccia. The opaline breccia may represent a higher level equivalent to the silicic assemblage, deposited near the paleosurface.

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Rocks

Name: Porphyry
Role: Associated
Description: dacite
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Miocene

Name: Dacite
Role: Associated
Description: porphyry
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Miocene

Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Tertiary

Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Miocene

Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Miocene

Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Miocene

Name: Andesite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age in Years: 12.800000+-
Age Young: Middle Miocene

Name: Andesite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age in Years: 12.400000+-
Age Young: Middle Miocene

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Analytical Data

Not available

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Materials

Ore: Electrum
Gangue: Allophane
Gangue: Halloysite
Gangue: Jarosite
Gangue: Gypsum
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Opal
Gangue: Chlorite
Gangue: Zeolite
Gangue: Alunite
Gangue: Kaolinite
Gangue: Montmorillonite
Gangue: Argentite
Gangue: Cinnabar
Gangue: Epidote
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Sericite
Gangue: Adularia
Gangue: Celadonite
Gangue: Illite
Gangue: Calcite

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Comments

Comment (Deposit): Gold-silver mineralization occurs in quartz stockwork veins and local sulfidic silicified breccias associated with widespread phyllic and propylitic alteration. Gold occurs as fine grained, free electrum in quartz-adularia veins, and as inclusions in, and on the surface of pyrite, argentite, and sulfosalt mineral grains. The grain size of the electrum ranges from 5-250 microns and averages 75 microns. Primary electrum is 650-850 fine. Dacite porphyry intrusions are the youngest event associated with Kate Peak volcanism, and alteration and mineralization are closely associated with porphyry emplacement.

Comment (Development): Prospects in the Talapoosa district are said to have been worked in a small way as early as 1864 by prospectors from Virginia City, but with no recorded production as of 1910. It was held by the Talapoosa Mining Company from 1905 until 1925, when the company lost the property in litigation. eology and Ore Controls of Gold-Silver Mineralization in the Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada. In 1925, the new owners built a 50 tpd flotation mill that operated for one year, processing about 8000 tons of ore. Production was limited and sporadic in later years. Total recorded production from the district is estimated to be less than 5000 ounces of gold. Historic company records account for 22,000 tons of production. Since the 1960s, several companies have explored the district for bulk-mineable ore: Duval Corp. in 1966, Homestake Mining in 1977-78, Superior Minerals in 1978-79, and Kennecott Corp. in 1981-83. Athena Gold Corp. leased the property in 1985 and drilled 34 shallow reverse circulation drill holes. A small resource of low grade oxide mineralization was identified which was tested further by an additional 121 reverse circulation drill holes. Preliminary metallurgical tests indicated that the oxide mineralization was only moderately amenable to heap leaching. In early 1989, Athena drilled 49 reverse circulation drill holes and 5 deeper NCHQ core holes. One purpose of the reverse circulation drill holes was to provide sufficient oxide ore for bulk recovery tests. This metallurgical testing demonstrated that the oxidized ore was only marginally amenable to heap leach methods in that the ore required crushing to minus 1/4 inch to achieve reasonable cyanide extraction of the gold. However, all 5 core holes intersected thick zones of low grade sulfide mineralization. An additional 20 deep holes were drilled, resulting in the discovery of a large tabular stockwork zone (the Bear Creek zone) 300 meters wide and 750 meters long which defines the currently recognized gold-silver resource. In January, 1992, Pegasus Gold Inc. reached an agreement with Athena Gold Corp. to earn a 70% interest in the Talapoosa project. Pegasus initiated a drilling program to confirm and expand reserves and conducted metallurgical testing to determine rates of recovery. The Talapoosa Joint Venture between Athena Gold Corp. and Pegasus Gold Corp. terminated April 25, 1994 with Athena now retaining a 100% interest in the project. Miramar Mining acquired Talapoosa through a merger with Athena and continued with the permitting process and an independent feasibility study. In 1997, Miramar Mining suspended development of the Talapoosa project due in part to depressed gold prices and in part to the need for additional metallurgical testing. In June, 2002, it was reported that American Gold Capital Corp. was reactivating development at the Talapoosa property. It was still owned by American Gold Capital in 2004.

Comment (Commodity): Ore Materials: electrum

Comment (Commodity): Gangue Materials: quartz, opal, chlorite, zeolites, calcite, smectite, epidote, pyrite, sericite, adularia, celadonite, illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, alunite, allophane, halloysite, jarosite, gypsum, iron oxides, argentite, cinnabar.

Comment (Economic Factors): Production was limited and sporadic from about 1864 to about 1950. Total recorded production from the district is estimated to be less than 5000 ounces of gold. Historic company records account for 22,000 tons of production. In 1995 the Talapoosa Deposit contained a total geologic resource of 45 million tons of ore grading 0.025 ounces of gold per ton and 0.33 ounces of silver per ton, including proven and probable reserves of 29.9 million tons of ore grading 0.026 ounces of gold per ton and 0.4 ounces of silver per ton.

Comment (Identification): This record supersedes earlier record #M231187 from which all material has been incorporated into the current record.

Comment (Location): The Talapoosa Deposit is located in the south part of the Virginia Range about four miles northwest of Silver Springs. UTM is to center of the Bear Creek Zone

Comment (Workings): Historic workings consist of an 800-foot tunnel from which an inclined winze has been sunk to about 100 foot depth. There are also several short tunnels and shallow shafts. More recent workings include several open pits developed on the orebodies.

Comment (Economic Factors): CITING LOW GOLD PRICES AND INCONSISTENT RECOVERIES, MIRAMAR MINING HAS TAKEN A $33.6MIL. WRITEDOWN ON THE TALAPOOSA GOLD SILVER PROJECT IN WESTERN NEVADA, SUSPENDING ITS DEVELOPEMENT. (SEE BIB)

Comment (Reserve-Resource): R-RECORD 2; THESE ARE THE PROV + PROB "RESERVES" AS SET OUT IN THE NEWS RELEASE. SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 3; POSSIBLE "RESERVES" SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 4; THESE ARE THE MEAS + INDI "RESOURCES" INCLUDING THE PROV + PROB "RESERVES" AS SET OUT IN THE NEW RELEASE. SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 5; INFERRED "RESOURCES" INCLUDES THE POSSIBLE "RESERVES AS SET OUT IN THE NEW RELEASE. SEE "R" BIBL REF 001-002. R-RECORD 6; TOTAL MEAS + INDI "RESOURCES", INCLUDES TOTAL PROV + PROB "RESERVES", 02/96. SEE "A" BIBL REF 001-002.

Comment (Ownership): PEGASUS GOLD CORP. PULLED OUT OF TALAPOOSA PROJECT, APRIL, 94. MIRAMAR MINING CORP ACQ 100% OF ATHENA GOLD CORP. & TALAPOOSA 01/95.

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References

Reference (Deposit): Long, K.R., DeYoung, J.H., Jr., and Ludington, S.D., 1998, Database of significant deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in the United States; Part A, Database description and analysis; part B, Digital database: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-206, 33 p., one 3.5 inch diskette.

Reference (Deposit): California Mining Journal, 6/1/94.

Reference (Deposit): NBMG MI-1994

Reference (Deposit): Northern Miner, 8/22/94.

Reference (Deposit): Denver Mining Record, 2/26/97.

Reference (Deposit): NBMG MI-1997

Reference (Deposit): Draft Environmental Impact Statement Availability for Talapoosa Mining Inc.'s Talapoosa Mine Project , 1996.

Reference (Deposit): Carpenter, Ann, 1992, Geology and Mineralization of the Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada; in Reno Area - Northern Walker Lane Mineralization and Structure; GSN Special Pub. No. 15.

Reference (Deposit): NBMG, 1994, MI-1993

Reference (Deposit): Nevada Division of Minerals, 1994

Reference (Deposit): Moore, J. G., 1969, Geology and Mineral Deposits of Lyon, Douglas, and Ormsby Counties, Nevada: NBMG Bulletin 75.

Reference (Deposit): Van Nieuwenhuyse, R., 1991, Geology and Ore Controls of Gold-Silver Mineralization in the Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada, in Raines, G. L., et al., eds., Geology and Ore Deposits of the Great Basin, The Geological Society of Nevada, Reno, p. 979-993.

Reference (Deposit): Garside, L. and Silberman, M., 1973, K-Ar Age of Ore Deposition, Talapoosa Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada, Isochron/West, no.7, p. 5-6.

Reference (Deposit): Hill, J. M., 1911, Notes on the Economic Geology of the Ramsey, Talapoosa, and White Horse Mining Districts, in Lyon and Washoe Counties, Nevada, USGS Bulletin 470, p. 99-108.

Reference (Deposit): Pegasus Gold Inc., 1992, Annual Report for 1991.

Reference (Deposit): Stoddard, C. and Carpenter, J. A., 1950, Mineral Resources of Storey and Lyon Counties, Nevada: NBMG Bulletin 49.

Reference (Development): THE NORTHERN MINER. "MIRAMAR PUTS TALAPOOSA GOLD PROJECT ON HOLD". 2/24/97. P.10.

Reference (Deposit): AMERICAN MINES HANDBOOK, 1996, PP. 166, 167.

Reference (Deposit): NEV. BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOL. BULLETIN 75, 1969, PLATE 2.

Reference (Reserve-Resource): MIRAMAR MINING CORP., NEWS RELEASE 96-03, 02/14/96, "TALAPOOSA PROJECT RESERVES & RESOURCES...".

Reference (Reserve-Resource): MIRAMAR MINING CORPORATION., NEWS RELEASE 2/14/97. 1P. "MIRAMAR MINING CORPORATION TALAPOOSA PROJECT ON HOLD..."

Reference (Ownership): THE MINING RECORD, APRIL 27, 1994, P19.

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Nevada Gold

Nevada has a total of 368 distinct gold districts. Of the of those, just 36 are major producers with production and/or reserves of over 1,000,000 ounces, 49 have production and/or reserves of over 100,000 ounces, with the rest having less than 100,000 ounces. Read more: Gold Districts of Nevada.