Commander Mine

The Commander Mine is a silver, gold, and lead mine located in Saguache county, Colorado at an elevation of 10,121 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: Commander Mine
Secondary: Razoo Mine
Secondary: Commander

Commodity

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

Location

State: Colorado
County: Saguache
District: Bonanza (Kerber Creek)

Land Status

Land ownership: National Forest
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

Not available

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Underground
Year Last Production: 1939
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N

Physiography

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

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Type: R
Description: Sawatch Range, San Juan Volcanic Field, Rio Grande Rift

Type: L
Description: Bonanza Caldera

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Early Barren Stage Of Alteration By Fumarolic Or Acid-Hot Spring Activity Resulted In Intense Silicification, Wallrock Replacement By Jasper And Alteration Products Hematite, Diaspore, Alunite, Barite, Zunyite, Rutile, And Kaolin Minerals. Later Mineralizing Stage By Alkaline Or Neutral Solutions Deposited Ore And Gangue And Caused Micaceous Altera Tion (Sericite And Chlorite) And Calcite, Quartz, And Pyrite.

Rocks

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

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

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

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

Analytical Data

Analytical Data: 22 OZ/TON AG, 0.12 OZ/TON AU, WITH PB AND MN

Materials

Not available

Comments

Comment (Workings): ONE TUNNEL HEADING SOUTHEASTWARD FOR UNKNOWN DISTANCE. SHAFT HAS LEVELS DEVELOPED AT 200, 275 AND 300 FT. SHAFT EXTENDS ANOTHER 100FT. SHAFT INCLINED AT 72 DEG.

Comment (Location): MINE OR CLAIM LIES UP SIMMONS GULCH ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1976) and USGS Bonanza 24k topo.

Comment (Deposit): MINE LIES IN FAULT BLOCK OF BONANZA TUFF, BOUNDED BY CALDERA'S WESTERN BOUNDARY FAULT (TRENDING APPROX N60W) AND MAJOR RADIAL FAULT TRENDING N25 TO 30 E ALONG SIMMONS GULCH, RAWLEY ANDESITE MAY HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED AT DEPTH.

Comment (Development): DEVELOPMENT AND RETIMBERING CONDUCTED 1950-52. FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL SHAFT SINKING, MINE WAS CLOSED IN 1952.

References

Reference (Deposit): COLO. DIV. INSP. REPTS.

Reference (Deposit): MARRS, R.W., 1973, APPLICATION OF REMOTE-SENSING TECHNIQUES TO THE GEOLOGY OF THE BONANZA VOLCANIC CENTER: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES PH.D. THESIS T-1531.

Reference (Deposit): BURBANK, W.S., 1932, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE BONANZA MINING DISTRICT, COLORADO: USGS PROF. PAPER 169, 166 P.

Reference (Deposit): PATTON, H.B., 1916, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE BONANZA DISTRICT, SAGUACHE COUNTY, COLORADO; COLORADO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 9, 136 P.

Reference (Location): BLM QUAD SW-11

Reference (Location): BONANZA QUAD

Colorado Mining Photos

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