Bella May Mine

The Bella May Mine is a zinc, silver, and lead mine located in Pend Oreille county, Washington at an elevation of 2,041 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: Bella May Mine  

State:  Washington

County:  Pend Oreille

Elevation: 2,041 Feet (622 Meters)

Commodity: Zinc, Silver, Lead

Lat, Long: 48.84417, -117.39528

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 Bella May Mine

Bella May Mine MRDS details

Site Name

Primary: Bella May Mine
Secondary: Metaline
Secondary: Metaline Mining and Leasing


Commodity

Primary: Zinc
Primary: Silver
Primary: Lead
Secondary: Copper
Tertiary: Uranium


Location

State: Washington
County: Pend Oreille
District: Metaline District


Land Status

Not available


Holdings

Not available


Workings

Type: Unknown


Ownership

Owner Name: Metaline Mining And Leasing Co.

Owner Name: American Zinc, Lead, And Smelting Co.
Home Office: St. Louis, Mo.


Production

Not available


Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Deposit Type: Replacement
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1906
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S


Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: Okanogan Highlands - Selkirk Range


Mineral Deposit Model

Not available


Orebody

Form: IRREGULAR


Structure

Type: R
Description: Down Dropped Block Between Flume Creek And Slate Creek Faults.

Type: L
Description: Metaline Thrust Fault And Many Normal Faults Plus Broad Folds Plunging Gently South And Southwest.


Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Silicification Of Dolomite


Rocks

Name: Dolomite
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Late Cambrian


Analytical Data

Analytical Data: AVERAGE GRADE OF ORE PRODUCED 1937-1947 WAS 1.27% PB AND 5.28% ZN, SAMPLE OF A FAULT ZONE ASSAYED 0.19% U3O8.


Materials

Ore: Wulfenite
Ore: Smithsonite
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Anglesite
Gangue: Calcite


Comments

Comment (Geology): SOME ORE BODIES ARE ELONGATE NE PARALLEL TO TWO MAJOR FAULTS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT FEEDING CHANNELS. MINERALIZATION WAS POST DEFORMATION

Comment (Workings): UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES THE BLUE BUCKET, BELLA MAY, AND WEST CONTACT WORKINGS. INDIVIDUAL ORE BODIES RANGE FROM A FEW TO SEVERAL HUNDRED FT LONG AND AS MUCH AS 75 TO 100 FT THICK, ALTHOUGH MOST ARE 20 TO 40 FT THICK. ORE BODIES WIDELY DISPERSED.


References

Reference (Deposit): HUNTTING, M. T., 1956, INVENTORY OF WASHINGTON MINERALS - PART II METALLIC MINERALS: WASHINGTON DIV. MINES AND GEOL. BULL. 37, V. 1, P. 366-367

Reference (Deposit): 1936 GEOLMAP PARK AND CANNON, PROF. PAPER 202

Reference (Deposit): 1945 GEOLMAP M. D. DINGS, U.S.G.S. PROF. PAPER 489

Reference (Production): U.S. BUREAU OF MINES INFO. CIRC. 7872

Reference (Deposit): PARK, C. F. JR. AND CANNON, R. S. JR., 1943, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE METALINE QUADRANGLE, WASHINGTON: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROF. PAPER 202, P. 65-67

Reference (Deposit): DINGS, M. G. AND WHITEBREAD, D. H., 1965, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE METALINE ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT, PEND OREILLE COUNTY, WASHINGTON: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROF. PAPER 489, P. 66-90

Reference (Deposit): PATTY, E. N., 1921, THE METAL MINES OF WASHINGTON: WASHINGTON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 23, P. 85-86


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