Old Priest Mine

The Old Priest Mine is a beryllium, mica, and niobium (columbium) mine located in San Miguel county, New Mexico 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: Old Priest Mine
Secondary: Mine: Old Priest Mica-Beryl Prospect
Secondary: Claims: 73 Unpatented Claims

Commodity

Primary: Beryllium
Primary: Mica
Primary: Niobium (Columbium)

Location

State: New Mexico
County: San Miguel
District: Tecolote District- Ribera Subdistrict

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

Not available

Ownership

Owner Name: Benny And Albert Lopez; U. Leon Guy
Home Office: Las Vegas, N.M.
Years: 1961 -

Owner Name: Onega Corp.
Home Office: Uniontown, Pa.
Years: 1961 -

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1825
Year Last Production: 1960
Discovery Year: 1825
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

Form: IRREGULAR

Structure

Type: R
Description: Starvation Peak Anticline

Type: L
Description: Starvation Peak Anticline

Alterations

Not available

Rocks

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

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

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

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Beryl
Ore: Columbite
Ore: Mica
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Feldspar
Gangue: Garnet
Gangue: Tourmaline
Gangue: Sericite

Comments

Comment (Deposit): THE ORE OCCURS IN A LENTICULAR-SHAPED PEGMATITE BEARING NORTHWEST AND DIPPING STEEPLY SOUTHWEST. THE PEGMATITE CONSISTS OF QUARTZ; ORTHOCLASE AND MICA WITH THE MAIN CONCENTRATION OF MICA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PEGMATITE. NEXT TO THE MICA ZONE A SMALL BERYL-BEARING PORTION IS FOUND THAT AVERAGES 150 FEET LONG AND 40 FEET WIDE. SMALL WHITE AND GREEN BERYL CRYSTALS WERE FOUND INCLUDING ONE CRYSTAL 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND 5 INCHES LONG. THE MICA OCCURS IN SMALL BOOKS UP TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE MICA IS MINERAL-STAINED AND BADLY RULED.

Comment (Workings): WORKINGS CONSISTED OF SEVERAL TRENCHES AND OPEN CUTS.

Comment (Geology): THE PRECAMBRIAN IN THIS REGION IS UNAMED.

Comment (Deposit): Discovery Year: EARLY 1800'S

Comment (Location): THE LOCATION IS ACCURATE FOR THE MINE SITE SHOWN ON THE VILLANUEVA QUADRANGLE. THE CADASTRAL GRID IS PROJECTED IN THIS AREA. ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :1979

References

Reference (Production): REDMON, D.E., 1961, USBM IC 8013, P. 76

Reference (Reserve-Resource): REDMON, D.E., 1961, USBM IC 8013, P. 77

Reference (Deposit): ANDERSON, E.C., 1956, NMGS GUIDEBOOK, SEVENTH FIELD CONFERENCE, P. 141

Reference (Deposit): REDMON, D.E., 1961, USBM IC 8013, P. 76-78

Reference (Deposit): NMBMMR GENERAL FILE DATA

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