Snowshoe Mine

The Snowshoe Mine is a gold mine located in Idaho county, Idaho at an elevation of 5,699 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: Snowshoe Mine
Secondary: Orofino
Secondary: Jensen Group
Secondary: Janson

Commodity

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

Location

State: Idaho
County: Idaho
District: Ramey Ridge 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: Payette National Forest

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Type: Underground

Ownership

Owner Name: David Creech, Far West Mining Co.

Production

Year: 1947
Time Period: 1916-1947
Material type: ORE
Description: Cp_Grade: ^Ave. 25-40 Oz. Au/Ton, 15-20 Oz Ag/Ton, Cu, Pb
Year: 1947
Time Period: 1916-1947
Material type: CU
Description: Cp_Grade: ^Assayed $200 Au, $18 Ag/Ton, 6 - 10% Cu

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Year: 1904
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

Form: LENSES, KIDNEYS

Structure

Type: L
Description: Numerous Folds And Splits

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Oxidation, Silicification

Rocks

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

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

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

Analytical Data

Analytical Data: IN 1929, ORE CARRIED $20 TO $50/TON IN AU AND AG. AVERAGE ASSAYS OF HIGH GRADE ORE: 25 TO 40 OZ AU, 15 TO 20 OZ AG/TON

Materials

Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Galena
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Pyrrhotite

Comments

Comment (Location): The Snowshoe Mine Is The Most Important Mineral Property In The Ramey Ridge District. It Is In Showshoe Gulch, On The North Side Of Crooked Creek, About 19 Miles By Rough Single- Lane Road From Big Creek Idaho. Workings Also Extends Into Valley County.

Comment (Development): 16 Lode, 2 Placer Claims; Blacksmith And Assay Shops, 25 Ton - Per - Day Mill

Comment (Geology): Fracture Trends N 45 Deg W, 55 Deg Ne

Comment (Commodity): Concentrates Assayed $200 Au, $18 Ag, 6 - 10% Cu/Ton

References

Reference (Deposit): WFOC Mineral Property File No. 0160490273

Reference (Deposit): Idaho Bur Mines Pamph 44.

Reference (Production): Cater, F. W., And Others, 1973, USGS Bulletin 1304

Reference (Deposit): Cater, F. W., And Others, 1973, Mineral Resources Of The Idaho Primitive Area And Vicinity, Idaho: USGS Bulletin 1304, 431 P.

Reference (Deposit): Lorain, S. H., 1938, Gold Mining And Milling In Idaho County: USBM Inf. Circ. 7039, 90 P.

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.