Big Lead Mine

The Big Lead Mine is a gold mine located in Lemhi county, Idaho at an elevation of 4,449 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

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: Big Lead Mine

Commodity

Primary: Gold
Tertiary: Lead

Location

State: Idaho
County: Lemhi
District: Mineral Hill District

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.
Administrative Organization: Salmon National Forest

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Type: Underground

Ownership

Not available

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Year: 1886
Discovery Method: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S

Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Northern Rocky Mountains
Physiographic Detail: Salmon River Mountains

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Type: L
Description: Fissures

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Oxidation, Fe Stains, Silicification, Sericitization, Leaching

Rocks

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

Name: Granite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Pliocene

Name: Granite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Pliocene

Analytical Data

Analytical Data: ORE AVG. $6 - 8/TON A

Materials

Ore: Galena
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Magnetite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Biotite
Gangue: Feldspar
Gangue: Muscovite

Comments

Comment (Location): E. SIDE PINE CREEK, ABOUT 1 MILE ABOVE ITS JUNCTION WITH SALMON RIVER

Comment (Deposit): Discovery Year: 1886, RELOCATED 1927

Comment (Development): 10-STAMP MILL

Comment (Workings): TUNNELS, SHAFTS

Comment (Geology): 2 SETS JOINTS, 1 TRENDS N 20 DEG E AND DIPS 60 DEG E, OTHER SET TRENDS N 65-75 DEG E AND DIPS 70 DEG SE

References

Reference (Deposit): UMPLEBY, J.B., 1913, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF LEMHI COUNTY, IDAHO: USGS BULL. 528, 182 P.

Reference (Deposit): BELL, R.N., 1907, EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINING INDUSTRY OF IDAHO FOR THE YEAR 1906.

Reference (Deposit): GRAY, F.A., 1927, ORE DEPOSITS OF THE MINERAL HILL DISTRICT, LEMHI COUNTY, IDAHO: MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, UNIV. OF MINNESOTA, PHD THESIS

Reference (Deposit): 1907 COMPILE STATE MINE INSPECTOR'S REPORT FOR 1906

Reference (Deposit): 1913 GEOLMAP UMPLEBY, J.B., BULL. 528

Reference (Production): UMPLEBY, J.B., 1913, USGS BULL. 528

Idaho Gold

"Where to Find Gold in Idaho" 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 Idaho. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Idaho.