Casadepaga River Mine (ARDF - SO080), Council Mining District, Nome Census Area, Alaska, USAi

Regional Level Types
Casadepaga River Mine (ARDF - SO080)	Mine
Council Mining District	Mining District
Nome Census Area	Census Area
Alaska	State
USA	Country

Location: The Casadepaga River is a major west tributary to the Niukluk River. This location along the river is about half way between the mouths of Goose (SO072) and Canyon Creeks (SO083) at 260 feet elevation. It is locality 54 of Cobb (1972, MF 445; 1978, OF 78-181).
Geology: The Casadepaga River is a major west tributary to the Niukluk River. The first 11 miles upstream from the mouth varies from 170 to 270 feet in elevation. The next 8 to 9 miles upstream gains another 150 feet of elevation. The lower 11 miles of the river has a pronouced floodplain over most of its length but in general this river is incised into benches and terraces that have surfaces 30 to 150 feet higher than the present drainage. Gold colors are commonly present in the bench gravels and mining has commonly taken place where tributaries cross the benches and rework these gravels (Collier and others, 1908). Heavy mineral concentrates from various parts of the drainage commonly contain garnet and magnetite. In general, bedrock was not exposed by early mining operations along the lower part of this river. As noted by Smith (1910), the depth to bedrock is known to vary from as much as 57 feet at the mouth of Penelope Creek (SO079) to 17 feet a half mile above the mouth of Big Four Creek (SO066). Smith (1910) reports that bench gravels, in places 30 feet above the active channel of the Casadepaga River, have been prospected at this location. An exploration shaft sunk in 1908 encountered 25 feet of frozen gravel and sand over 5 feet of 'quick sand', a blueish muck with fine sand apparently similar to material found on Banner Creek (SO094).
Workings: This particular locality appears to be an area of prospecting, including at least one 30-foot-deep shaft, rather than mining.
Age: Quaternary; the numerous incised terraces along the Casadepaga River indicate that more than one cycle of erosion and deposition has developed placer deposits in the area. The low elevations between 170 and 270 feet along the first 11 miles of the river, suggest that Quaternary sea level fluctuations could have influenced placer development.

Commodities (Major) - Au
Development Status: Undetermined.
Deposit Model: Placer Au-PGE (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 39a).

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Link to USGS - Alaska:	SO080

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References