The Big Four is a zinc and lead mine located in Inyo county, California at an elevation of 2,621 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
Elevation: 2,621 Feet (799 Meters)
Commodity: Zinc, Lead
Lat, Long: 36.43111, -117.39000
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.
Big Four MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Big Four
Secondary: War Eagle - Shoshone
Commodity
Primary: Zinc
Primary: Lead
Secondary: Silver
Secondary: Gold
Secondary: Copper
Location
State: California
County: Inyo
Land Status
Not available
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
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
Not available
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Type: L
Description: Fault; Low - Angle, Strikes East And Dips North.
Alterations
Not available
Rocks
Not available
Analytical Data
Analytical Data: 13.7 % PB, 11.75 % ZN, 2.9 OZ/TON AG, SOME COPPER AND GOLD.
Analytical Data: LAST ORE SHIPPED
Materials
Ore: Smithsonite
Comments
Comment (Location): UTM ACC. ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :UNDETERMINED
Comment (Production): 1944 AND 1945 , 372 TONS OF ORE WAS MINED; 1946 , 11 CAR LOADS WERE SHIPPED. 1947 , 30 TONS OF SHIPPING - GRADE ORE WAS PRODUCED.
Comment (Deposit): ORE OCCURS IN ZONE OF BRECCIATION AND ALTERATION IN LIMESTONE.
Comment (Workings): WORKINGS ON TWO LEVELS; LOWER LEVEL; SHORT ADIT S 20 E ENDING IN SMALL IRREGULAR STOPE. UPPER LEVEL; 110 FT. ADIT S 55 E ALONG FAULT, IT ENDS IN AN IRREGULAR 80 FT. STOPE. 900 FT. CROSSCUT ADIT N 70 E, AND 2 , 30 FT. ADITS N 25 E AND N 30 E.
Comment (Geology): GEOL.DESC: OUTCROP EXPRESSION ABOVE ORE IS A IRON - STAINED, SILICIFIED HALO. MINERALIZATION DIES OUT TOWARD SE ALONG FAULT. BLEACHING AND DOLOMITIZATION OF LIMESTONE INCREASES IN SE DIRECTION.
References
Reference (Deposit): GOODWIN, J. C., 1957 , LEAD AND ZINC IN CALIFORNIA; CALIF. JOUR. MINES AND GEOLOGY, VOL. 53 , NO. 3 & 4 ; DIV. OF MINES, P. 454 .
Reference (Deposit): NORMAN, L. A. AND STEWART, R. M., 1951 , MINES AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF INYO COUNTY; CALIF. JOUR. MINES AND GEOLOGY, VOL. 47 , NO. 1 ; DIV. OF MINES, P. 57 .
Reference (Production): GOODWIN, J. C., 1957 , P. 454 (SEE REF.)
California Gold
"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.
