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Meadow Lake Mining District, Nevada County, California, USAi
Regional Level Types
Meadow Lake Mining DistrictMining District
Nevada CountyCounty
CaliforniaState
USACountry

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
39° 24' 34'' North , 120° 31' 1'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
39.40959,-120.51712
GRN:
N27W67
Type:
Mining District
Köppen climate type:
Csb : Warm-summer Mediterranean climate
Mindat Locality ID:
209233
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:209233:4
GUID (UUID V4):
0


Location: This is a small lode-gold district located in parts of secs. 22, 26 to 28 & 32, T18N, R13E, and in sec. 4, T17N, R13E, MDM, in eastern Nevada County just SW of Meadow Lake and approximately seven miles northeast of Cisco, 25 miles W of Truckee.

Gold was discovered here in 1863, and there was a "rush" to the area that lasted from 1865 to 1870. Minor prospecting was done afterward until the early 1900's and again during the 1920's and 1930's. The total output of the district has been estimated to be valued at $200,000 (period values).

Geology: The region is underlain chiefly by granodiorite with minor amounts of greenstone. There are a number of narrow quartz veins, which, in places, contain free gold and abundant sulfides. A number of high-grade pockets were encountered near the surface during the early days, but at depth the deposits pinch out or become very low in grade. Local rocks include Mesozoic granitic rocks, unit 3 (Sierra Nevada, Death Valley area, Northern Mojave Desert and Transverse Ranges).

Mines: Baltimore group, Excelsior, Great Western, Hercules, Mammoth, New Hope, Of What, Philadelphia group.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.


Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

25 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite
Formula: Na(AlSi3O8)
ⓘ 'Apatite'
Formula: Ca5(PO4)3A
ⓘ Arsenopyrite
Formula: FeAsS
Localities:
Meadow Lake Mining District, Nevada County, California, USA
Unnamed Cu-Au-Zn-As occurrence [1], Summit City, Meadow Lake Mining District, Nevada County, California, USA
Great Eastern Mine, Excelsior Mine (Excelsior group; Wotall; Lake/Blue Fox/C.B.C./Mammoth; Great Western Extension/California; Green Emigrant/Indian Boy/Pacific; New Hope/North Mammoth/Dam End; Great Eastern/Great Western; Confidence/Golden Eagle; Union No. 1 & 2 claims; Of What No. 1 & 2 claims), Summit City, Meadow Lake Mining District, Nevada County, California, USA
California Mine (Great Eastern Mine), Excelsior Mine (Excelsior group; Wotall; Lake/Blue Fox/C.B.C./Mammoth; Great Western Extension/California; Green Emigrant/Indian Boy/Pacific; New Hope/North Mammoth/Dam End; Great Eastern/Great Western; Confidence/Golden Eagle; Union No. 1 & 2 claims; Of What No. 1 & 2 claims), Summit City, Meadow Lake Mining District, Nevada County, California, USA
ⓘ Arsenopyrite var. Danaite
Formula: (Fe0.90Co0.10)AsS - (Fe0.65Co0.35)AsS
Description: Occurs as well-formed, brilliant crystals to ¼ inch (0.7 cm) diameter.
ⓘ Bieberite
Formula: Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
References:
J.F. Cooper, P.C.
ⓘ 'Biotite'
Formula: K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
Localities: Reported from at least 6 localities in this region.
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
ⓘ Cobaltite
Formula: CoAsS
ⓘ Epidote
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Ferrimolybdite
Formula: Fe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ 'Garnet Group'
Formula: X3Z2(SiO4)3
ⓘ Magnetite
Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘ Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
ⓘ Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Native Copper
Formula: Cu
Description: Occurs with gold in quartz.
ⓘ Native Gold
Formula: Au
Localities: Reported from at least 29 localities in this region.
ⓘ Powellite
Formula: Ca(MoO4)
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
Localities: Reported from at least 6 localities in this region.
ⓘ Pyrrhotite
Formula: Fe1-xS
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
Localities: Reported from at least 28 localities in this region.
ⓘ Scheelite
Formula: Ca(WO4)
ⓘ Scorodite
Formula: Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Skutterudite
Formula: CoAs3
ⓘ Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS
ⓘ Stilpnomelane ?
Formula: K4Fe2+48[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
ⓘ 'Tourmaline'
Formula: AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Copper1.AA.05Cu
ⓘNative Gold1.AA.05Au
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘSphalerite2.CB.05aZnS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘPyrrhotite2.CC.10Fe1-xS
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘMolybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘArsenopyrite2.EB.20FeAsS
ⓘvar. Danaite2.EB.20(Fe0.90Co0.10)AsS - (Fe0.65Co0.35)AsS
ⓘCobaltite2.EB.25CoAsS
ⓘSkutterudite2.EC.05CoAs3
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘMagnetite4.BB.05Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘMalachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘBieberite7.CB.35Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
ⓘPowellite7.GA.05Ca(MoO4)
ⓘScheelite7.GA.05Ca(WO4)
ⓘFerrimolybdite7.GB.30Fe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘScorodite8.CD.10Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘEpidote9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘMuscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘStilpnomelane ?9.EG.40K4Fe2+48[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
ⓘAlbite9.FA.35Na(AlSi3O8)
Unclassified
ⓘ'Biotite'-K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Tourmaline'-AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ'Garnet Group'-X3Z2(SiO4)3
ⓘ'Apatite'-Ca5(PO4)3A

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ BieberiteCo2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Hⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Hⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ FerrimolybditeFe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O
Hⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ ScoroditeFe3+AsO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ StilpnomelaneK4Fe482+[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
BBoron
Bⓘ TourmalineAD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
CCarbon
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
OOxygen
Oⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Oⓘ BieberiteCo2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Oⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ FerrimolybditeFe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O
Oⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Oⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ PowelliteCa(MoO4)
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
Oⓘ ScoroditeFe3+AsO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ StilpnomelaneK4Fe482+[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
Oⓘ TourmalineAD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Oⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
Oⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3A
FFluorine
Fⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
NaSodium
Naⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Alⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Alⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ StilpnomelaneK4Fe482+[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
SiSilicon
Siⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Siⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Siⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ StilpnomelaneK4Fe482+[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
Siⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3A
SSulfur
Sⓘ ArsenopyriteFeAsS
Sⓘ BieberiteCo2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ CobaltiteCoAsS
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Sⓘ SphaleriteZnS
Sⓘ Arsenopyrite var. Danaite(Fe0.90Co0.10)AsS - (Fe0.65Co0.35)AsS
KPotassium
Kⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ StilpnomelaneK4Fe482+[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
CaCalcium
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ PowelliteCa(MoO4)
Caⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
Caⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3A
TiTitanium
Tiⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
FeIron
Feⓘ ArsenopyriteFeAsS
Feⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Feⓘ FerrimolybditeFe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O
Feⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Feⓘ ScoroditeFe3+AsO4 · 2H2O
Feⓘ StilpnomelaneK4Fe482+[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O
Feⓘ Arsenopyrite var. Danaite(Fe0.90Co0.10)AsS - (Fe0.65Co0.35)AsS
CoCobalt
Coⓘ BieberiteCo2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Coⓘ CobaltiteCoAsS
Coⓘ SkutteruditeCoAs3
Coⓘ Arsenopyrite var. Danaite(Fe0.90Co0.10)AsS - (Fe0.65Co0.35)AsS
CuCopper
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ Native CopperCu
Cuⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
ZnZinc
Znⓘ SphaleriteZnS
AsArsenic
Asⓘ ArsenopyriteFeAsS
Asⓘ CobaltiteCoAsS
Asⓘ ScoroditeFe3+AsO4 · 2H2O
Asⓘ SkutteruditeCoAs3
Asⓘ Arsenopyrite var. Danaite(Fe0.90Co0.10)AsS - (Fe0.65Co0.35)AsS
MoMolybdenum
Moⓘ FerrimolybditeFe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O
Moⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Moⓘ PowelliteCa(MoO4)
WTungsten
Wⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
AuGold
Auⓘ Native GoldAu
PbLead
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS:60001736

Localities in this Region

USA
USA

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent
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This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Conkling, A.R. (1878), Annual report upon geographical survey west of the 100th meridian in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, and Montana, App. 1: 167-183, App. I, 1: 184
Irelan, William, Jr. (1888b), Eighth annual report of the State Mineralogist [includes mineral resources of the State, with contributions by W.A. Goodyear, H.A. Whiting, and Stephen Bowers]: California Mining Bureau. (Report 8), 946 pp.: 454.
Lindgren, Waldemar (1893), The auriferous veins of Meadow Lake, California: American Journal of Science 3rd. series: 46: 201-206; […(abstract): Mining and Scientific Press: 68: 118 (1894)]: 205.
Lindgren, Waldemar (1897), Description of the gold belt; description of the Truckee sheet: USGS Geological Atlas, Truckee folio (Folio No. 39), 8 pp.
Lindgren, Waldemar (1900) Colfax folio, California. Folios of the Geologic Atlas 66. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/gf66
MacBoyle, Errol (1919), Mines and mineral resources of Nevada County: Meadow Lake mining district, California Journal of Mines and Geology, California Mining Bureau (Report 16): 16: 33-37.
Logan, Clarence August (1924), Nevada County, Meadow Lake district, California Mining Bureau (Report 20): 355-362.
Wisker, A.L. (1936), The gold-bearing veins of Meadow Lake district, Nevada County: California Division Mines Report 32: 189-204.
Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 133, 311, 340, 545.
Pemberton, H. Earl (1983) Minerals of California. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc.
Doebrich, J. L., Garside, L. J., Shawe, D. R. (1996) Characterization of mineral deposits in rocks of the Triassic to Jurassic magmatic arc of western Nevada and eastern California. USGS Open File report 96-6.
(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.
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