Colorado Belle Mine

The Colorado Belle Mine is a lead, copper, and zinc mine located in Saguache county, Colorado at an elevation of 11,299 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

Name: Colorado Belle Mine  

State:  Colorado

County:  Saguache

Elevation: 11,299 Feet (3,444 Meters)

Commodity: Lead, Copper, Zinc

Lat, Long: 38.34583, -106.11444

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 Colorado Belle Mine

Colorado Belle Mine MRDS details

Site Name

Primary: Colorado Belle Mine
Secondary: Claim: Belle of Colorado


Commodity

Primary: Lead
Primary: Copper
Primary: Zinc


Location

State: Colorado
County: Saguache
District: Bonanza (Kerber Creek)


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.


Holdings

Not available


Workings

Not available


Ownership

Not available


Production

Not available


Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Occurrence
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Year: 1881
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S


Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Southern Rocky Mountains


Mineral Deposit Model

Not available


Orebody

Not available


Structure

Type: R
Description: Sawatch Range, San Juan Volcanic Field, Rio Grande Rift

Type: L
Description: Bonanza Caldera


Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Early Barren Stage Of Alteration By Fumarolic Or Acid-Hot Spring Activity Resulted In Intense Silicification, Wallrock Replacement By Jasper And Alteration Products Hematite, Diaspore, Alunite, Barite, Zunyite, Rutile, And Kaolin Minerals. Later Mineralizing Stage By Alkaline Or Neutral Solutions Deposited Ore And Gangue And Caused Micaceous Alteration (Sericite And Chlorite) And Calcite, Quartz, And Pyrite.


Rocks

Name: Latite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Oligocene

Name: Latite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Oligocene


Analytical Data

Not available


Materials

Ore: Galena
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Pyrite
Gangue: Barite
Gangue: Rhodochrosite
Gangue: Quartz


Comments

Comment (Location): S-T-R, LAT-LONG, AND ELEV. TAKEN FROM BURBANK'S (1932) PLATE 1 (SCALE 1:12000). MINE OR CLAIM LIES ON SADDLE 3000 FT NW OF ROUND MTN. ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1976)

Comment (Deposit): VEINS LIE ALONG GRABEN FAULTS THAT DISPLACE BONANZA TUFF DOWNWARD AGAINST RAWLEY ANDESITE. PRINCIPAL VEINS TREND N47W, N85E, N65E

Comment (Workings): SEVERAL SHAFTS AND PROSPECTS ON AND AROUND CLAIM. DEPTH OF MAIN SHAFT 130 FT.


References

Reference (Deposit): PATTON, H.B., 1916, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE BONANZA DISTRICT, SAGUACHE COUNTY, COLORADO: COLORADO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 9, 136 P.

Reference (Deposit): BURBANK, W.S., 1932, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE BONANZA MINING DISTRICT, COLORADO: USGS PROF. PAPER 169, 166 P.


Colorado Mining Photos

Placer mines at Cripple Creek, Colorado ca. 1892

Check out this collection of Colorado's best historic mining photos: Incredible Photos of Colorado Mining Scenes.