The West Fork of Illinois River is a cobalt, chromium, and nickel mine located in Josephine county, Oregon.
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
Elevation:
Commodity: Cobalt, Chromium, Nickel
Lat, Long: 42.05278, -123.74778
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.
West Fork of Illinois River MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: West Fork of Illinois River
Commodity
Primary: Cobalt
Primary: Chromium
Primary: Nickel
Location
State: Oregon
County: Josephine
Land Status
Administrative Organization: Siskiyou National Forest
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Occurrence
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Pacific Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Pacific Border Province
Physiographic Section: Klamath Mountains
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Type: L
Description: Shear Zone - Fault Contact
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Serpentinization
Rocks
Not available
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: SOIL AND SAPROLITE CONTAIN AVERAGE OF 0.53 % NI, 0.04 % CO, AND 1.84 % CR2O3.
Materials
Not available
Comments
Comment (Geology): AREA UNDERLAIN BY SERPENTINIZED HARZBURGITE OF JOSEPHINE ULTRAMAFIC SHEET IN FAULT CONTACT WITH UPPER JURASSIC GALICE FORMATION. FAULT IS VERTICAL AND STRIKES ABOUT N. 20 E. LATERITE IS REMNANT OF OLD UPLAND WEATHERED SURFACE.
Comment (Deposit): ESTIMATED UNWEATHERED ROCK VOLUME IS 45 %
References
Reference (Deposit): RAMP, LEN, 1978 , INVESTIGATIONS OF NICKEL IN OREGON: ODGMI MISC. PAPER NO. 20 , P. 35 - 38
Reference (Deposit): 1968 DIREXPL COMINCO-AMERICAN, INC. TRENCHING AUGERING; MAPPING BY A REAL PHOTOGRAPHY.
Reference (Deposit): 1973 DIREXPL INSPIRATION DEVELOPMENT COMPANY EXTENSIVE EXPLORATION
Reference (Deposit): 1977 DIREXPL USBM BACKHOE SAMPLING
Oregon Gold
"Where to Find Gold in Oregon" 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 Oregon. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Oregon.
