Chicago Mine

The Chicago Mine is a cobalt mine located in Lemhi county, Idaho at an elevation of 7,500 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: Chicago Mine
Secondary: Blackbird Mine

Commodity

Primary: Cobalt
Secondary: Gold
Secondary: Copper
Tertiary: Bismuth
Tertiary: Nickel

Location

State: Idaho
County: Lemhi
District: Blackbird District

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

Type: Surface/Underground

Ownership

Owner Name: Hanna Mining Co.

Owner Name: Howe Sound Mining Co.

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1951
Discovery Method: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S

Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: Salmon River Mountains

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Form: IRREGULAR STRINGERS AND PODS

Structure

Type: L
Description: Reverse Faults, Folds. Chicago Zone On Broad Syncline Plunging 43 Deg N

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Chlorite

Rocks

Name: Gabbro
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic

Name: Gabbro
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Eocene

Name: Gabbro
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Eocene

Name: Gabbro
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic

Analytical Data

Analytical Data: .8 % NI
Analytical Data: GENERAL CO TO CU RATIO IS 1:2.35
Analytical Data: 0.35% CO, 3.12% CU

Materials

Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Cobaltite
Ore: Gold
Ore: Bismuth
Ore: Chalcocite
Ore: Safflorite
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Limonite
Gangue: Magnetite
Gangue: Biotite
Gangue: Pyrrhotite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Vivianite

Comments

Comment (Location): 3800 Ft. Up Meadow Creek, Adjoins Bryan Claim

Comment (Development): Chicago Mine Now Included In Blackbird Mine, See No. 363. ; Econ.Com: Co Has Extraction Problems

Comment (Deposit): Deposit On W Limb Of Syncline Is 15 Ft Wide And Dips 60 Deg Ne; Deposit In Trough Of Fold Is 45 Ft Wide And Dips 45 Deg N; Deposit On E Limb Narrows And Maintains Low Dip To The N

Comment (Workings): Some Diamond Drilling

Comment (Geology): Shear Zones Trend N 30 Deg W And N-S.

References

Reference (Production): Baldwin, J.A., October 8, 1976, Personal Communication.

Reference (Deposit): Vhay, J.S., 1948, Cobalt-Copper Deposits Of The Blackbird District, Lemhi County, Idaho: USGS Strategic Minerals Inv. Prelim. Report 3-219, 26 P.

Reference (Deposit): Baldwin, J.A., October 8, 1976, Personal Communication.

Reference (Deposit): Trexler, B.D., Jr., 1974, Unpublished Blackbird Report

Reference (Deposit): Reed, G.C., And Herdlick, J.A., 1947, Blackbird Cobalt Deposits, Lemhi County, Idaho: USBM R.I. 4012, P. 5

Reference (Deposit): Canney, F.C., 1953, Preliminary Report Of Geochemical Investigations In The Blackbird District, Lemhi County, Idaho: USGS Open-File Rept.

Reference (Deposit): Anderson, A.L., 1943, Preliminary report on the cobalt deposits in the Blackbird District, Lemhi County, Idaho: Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology Pamphlet 61, 34 P.

Reference (Deposit): Umpleby, J.B., 1913, Geology and Ore Deposits of Lemhi County, Idaho: USGS Bulletin 528, 182 P.

Idaho Gold

"Where to Find Gold in Idaho" 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 Idaho. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Idaho.