Tiptop Lode

The Tiptop Lode is a feldspar mine located in Custer county, South Dakota at an elevation of 5,390 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: Tiptop Lode

Commodity

Primary: Feldspar
Secondary: Lithium
Secondary: Mica
Secondary: Beryllium

Location

State: South Dakota
County: Custer
District: Custer District

Land Status

Administrative Organization: Black Hills

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Type: Surface/Underground

Ownership

Owner Name: International Minerals And Chemical Corp. (Imc)
Home Office: P.O. Box 71, Carlsbad, N.M. 88220

Owner Name: Nevin, William
Home Office: Custer, S.D.

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1880
Discovery Year: 1880
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S

Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Interior Plains
Physiographic Province: Great Plains Province
Physiographic Section: Black Hills

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Form: CRESCENT-SHAPED DIKE

Structure

Type: R
Description: Black Hills Uplift

Type: L
Description: Ridge-Like Hill

Alterations

Not available

Rocks

Name: Pegmatite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic

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

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Beryl
Ore: Amblygonite
Ore: Biotite
Ore: Muscovite
Gangue: Cleavelandite
Gangue: Vivianite
Gangue: Tourmaline
Gangue: Purpurite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Apatite
Gangue: Spodumene

Comments

Comment (Production): OVER 1,000 LONG TONS OF FELDSPAR WERE PRODUCED IN 1962 AND 1963. TOTAL PRODUCTION IS CLOSE TO 10,000 T FELDSPAR, 300 LB SHEET MICA, 30 T SCRAP MICA AND 1 T BERYL. PUNCH MICA (1943) TOTALED 105 LB.

Comment (Deposit): ONE UNPATENTED CLAIM. GIANT CRYSTALS OF POTASH FELDSPAR ARE CONCENTRATED NEAR THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PEGMATITE. PEGMATITE IS COARSE TO VERY COARSE GRAINED. NOT ZONED.

Comment (Workings): THERE ARE TWO CUTS DRIVEN NORTH. ONE (35 X 15 FT) HAS A SHAFT 35 FT DEEP WITH SHORT DRIFTS.

References

Reference (Deposit): USBM INFO CIRC 7707, P. 149-150.

Reference (Deposit): USGS PP 247, P. 205-206.

Reference (Deposit): SDGS RI 44, P. 8-12.

Reference (Deposit): SDGS MR 10, P. 5.

Reference (Deposit): SDGS MR 11, P. 5.

Reference (Deposit): AM MIN VOL 54, P. 1312-1323.

Reference (Production): USGS PP 247, P. 206; SDGS MR 10, P. 5; SDGS MR 11, P. 5.

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