Ridge Mine

The Ridge Mine is a lead and zinc mine located in Mineral county, Colorado at an elevation of 9,449 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: Ridge Mine  

State:  Colorado

County:  Mineral

Elevation: 9,449 Feet (2,880 Meters)

Commodity: Lead, Zinc

Lat, Long: 37.9, -106.91722

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 Ridge Mine

Ridge Mine MRDS details

Site Name

Primary: Ridge Mine


Commodity

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


Location

State: Colorado
County: Mineral
District: Creede 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: Underground


Ownership

Owner Name: Creede Mines Co.
Years: 1934 -


Production

Not available


Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Year: 1890
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S


Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Southern Rocky Mountains


Mineral Deposit Model

Not available


Orebody

Not available


Structure

Type: R
Description: San Juan Volcanic Field; La Garita, Creede, And Bachelor Calderas

Type: L
Description: Solomon-Holy Moses Fault Zone; Creede Graben


Alterations

Not available


Rocks

Name: Rhyolite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Oligocene

Name: Rhyolite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Oligocene

Name: Rhyolite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Oligocene

Name: Rhyolite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Oligocene


Analytical Data

Not available


Materials

Ore: Galena
Ore: Sphalerite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Chalcopyrite
Gangue: Limonite


Comments

Comment (Deposit): ETHEL AND RIDGE VEINS FORM A CONCAVE (WEST WARD) BRANCH OF SOLOMON VEIN BRANCHING OFF APPROX. 1200 FT NW OF RIDGE PORTAL AND REJOINING NEAR END OF MAIN SOLOMON TUNNEL

Comment (Location): S-T-R, LAT-LONG, AND ELEV DETERMINED FROM EMMONS AND LARSEN'S (1923) TOPO MAP (1:24,000), MINE OR CLAIM LIES ALONG E. WILLOW CR. AT EAST BASE OF CAMPBELL MTN ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1976)

Comment (Workings): MAIN TUNNEL TO AND DRIFT ALONG RIDGE VEIN. INCLINED WINZE SUNK FROM PORTAL LEVEL DOWNDIP ALONG VEIN WITH DRIFTS AT 90, 200, 250, 350, 450, AND 500 FT LEVELS. SECOND HIGHER TUNNEL DRIVEN TO ETHEL VEIN

Comment (Deposit): IN 1912, ORE WAS TREATED IN SMALL CONCENTRATING MILL NEAR PORTAL. TOTAL PRODUCTION ESTIMATED AT $500,000 TO $700,000 ; INFO.SRC : 1 PUB LIT


References

Reference (Deposit): EMMONS, W.H., AND LARSEN, E.S. 1923, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE CREEDE DISTRICT, COLORADO: USGS BULL. 718, 198 P.

Reference (Deposit): STEVEN, T.A., AND RATTE, J.C., 1965, GEOLOGY AND STRUCTURAL CONTROL OF ORE DEPOSITION IN THE CREEDE DISTRICT, SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO: USGS PROF. PAPER 487, 90 P.

Reference (Deposit): LINDEMANN, J.W., AND OTHERS, EDS., 1981, FIELD TRIP NOTES, CREEDE MINING DISTRICT, SAN JUAN VOLCANIC PROVINCE, COLORADO: DENVER REGIONAL EXPLORATION GEOLOGISTS SOC. GUIDE BOOK


Colorado Mining Photos

Placer mines at Cripple Creek, Colorado ca. 1892

Check out this collection of Colorado's best historic mining photos: Incredible Photos of Colorado Mining Scenes.