Kismuth Mines

The Kismuth Mines is a silver, gold, lead, and copper mine located in Saguache county, Colorado at an elevation of 9,580 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

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.

Site Name

Primary: Kismuth Mines

Commodity

Primary: Silver
Primary: Gold
Primary: Lead
Primary: Copper
Tertiary: 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

Owner Name: David R. Miller
Years: 1970 -

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N

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; High-Angle Reverse Fault

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: Andesite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Oligocene

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

Name: Andesite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Oligocene

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

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Galena
Ore: Bornite
Ore: Sphalerite

Comments

Comment (Deposit): VEINS TREND APPROX. EAST-WEST

Comment (Development): SMALL AMOUNTS OF HIGH-GRADE ORE MINED IN THE 1930'S

Comment (Workings): FOUR TUNNELS, APPARENTLY SHALLOW WORKINGS; INACCESSIBLE IN 1970

Comment (Location): MINE OR CLAIM LIES ON SOUTH SIDE OF SILVER CREEK ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1976)

Comment (Geology): HIGH-ANGLE REVERSE FAULT JUST NORTH OF MINES DISPLACES RAWLEY ANDESITE AGAINST PRECAMBRIAN GNEISS AND SCHIST

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.

Reference (Deposit): PERRY, H.A., 1971, GEOLOGY OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE BONANZA VOLCANIC FIELD, SAGUACHE COUNTY, COLORADO; COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES M.S. THESIS T-1362.

Colorado Mining Photos

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