Empire

The Empire is a copper mine located in Calaveras county, California.

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: Empire  

State:  California

County:  Calaveras

Elevation:

Commodity: Copper

Lat, Long: 37.9775, -120.63472

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 Empire

Empire MRDS details

Site Name

Primary: Empire


Commodity

Primary: Copper


Location

State: California
County: Calaveras


Land Status

Not available


Holdings

Not available


Workings

Type: Surface/Underground


Ownership

Not available


Production

Not available


Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Deposit Type: Replacement
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S


Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Pacific Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Cascade-Sierra Mountains
Physiographic Section: Sierra Nevada


Mineral Deposit Model

Not available


Orebody

Form: LENTICULAR


Structure

Type: L
Description: "Calaveras Fault"; High Angle East-Dipping Fault, Traced Along Strike Over 2,000 Ft., Zone Of Chloritization Has Followed The Fault. The Fault Is Located On Eastern Boundary Of A Elongate Serpentine Body, 150 Ft. Sw. Of Empire Shaft Collar.


Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Chloritization


Rocks

Not available


Analytical Data

Analytical Data: ASSAYED LESS THAN 1 % CU.


Materials

Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Pyrite
Ore: Malachite
Ore: Cuprite
Gangue: Calcite
Gangue: Feldspar
Gangue: Quartz


Comments

Comment (Workings): ONE SHAFT, ONE ADIT 420 FT. IN LENGTH. OTHER SHAFTS PITS AND ADITS NOT ACCESSIBLE.

Comment (Production): TONNAGE AND AMOUNT PRODUCED NOT REPORTED.

Comment (Deposit): NO LARGE QUANTITY OF COPPER ORE OBSERVED IN WALLS OF ADIT.

Comment (Geology): GEOL.DESC: METAVOLCANICS INCLUDE; CHIEFLY SCHISTOSE PYROCLASTICS AND SPOTTED GREEN SCHISTS - FOLIATION IN MOST PLACES DIP STEEPLY EASTWARD. INTRUDED INTO THEM ARE DIKES AND IRREGULAR BODIES OF GABBRO, HORNBLENDITE, HORNBLENDE DIORITE AND GRANODIORITE. STRONGEST MINERALIZATION IS ADJACENT TO FAULTS OR SHEAR ZONES IN CHLORITIZED SCHIST WEST OF GRANODIORITE BODY.


References

Reference (Deposit): CLARK, W.B., AND LYDON, P.A., 1962 , MINES AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF CALAVERAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA; COUNTY REPT. 2 ; CALIF. DIV. MINES AND GEOLOGY, P. 25

Reference (Deposit): HEYL, G.R., 1948 , ORE DEPOSITS OF COPPEROPOLIS, CALAVERAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA; COPPER IN CALIFORNIA BULL. 144 ; DIV. OF MINES, P. 108 - 109 .

Reference (Production): HEYL, G.R., 1948 , P. 96 (SEE REF)


California Gold

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"Where to Find Gold in California" looks at the density of modern placer mining claims along with historical gold mining locations and mining district descriptions to determine areas of high gold discovery potential in California. Read more: Where to Find Gold in California.