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San Andreas Mining District, Calaveras County, California, USAi
Regional Level Types
San Andreas Mining DistrictMining District
Calaveras CountyCounty
CaliforniaState
USACountry

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07940350017272092274727.jpg
Fellowcraft Mine

Fellowcraft Mine, San Andreas, San Andreas Mining District, Calaveras County, California, USA
07940350017272092274727.jpg
Fellowcraft Mine

Fellowcraft Mine, San Andreas, San Andreas Mining District, Calaveras County, California, USA
07940350017272092274727.jpg
Fellowcraft Mine

Fellowcraft Mine, San Andreas, San Andreas Mining District, Calaveras County, California, USA
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
38° 11' 45'' North , 120° 40' 45'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
38.19611,-120.67944
GRN:
N26W68
Type:
Mining District
Köppen climate type:
Csa : Hot-summer Mediterranean climate
Mindat Locality ID:
215853
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:215853:5
GUID (UUID V4):
0


Location: This district is in west-central Calaveras County. It consists of that part of the Mother Lode gold belt that extends from the North Branch-Cottage Springs area southeast through San Andreas and Kentucky House to the vicinity of Fourth Crossing. It is both a lode- and placer-mining district.

History. The streams were mined during the early part of the gold rush. San Andreas Gulch was first settled by Mexicans in 1848 or 1849. The Tertiary channel deposits were mined by hydraulicking and drifting from the 1850s through the 1880s, and some drift mining has continued until the present time. Lode mining also began in the 1850s. Numerous lode mines were active from the 1870s until about 1900 and again during the 1930s. The Union gold mine was prospected for uranium in the middle 1950s.

Geology: The area is underlain by northwest-trending belts of greenstone, amphibolite schist, slate, and lenticular serpentine bodies. At Kentucky House, a large body of dolomitic limestone contains lenses of high-calcium limestone mined by the Calaveras Cement Company. To the east of San Andreas is a granodiorite stock. Overlying portions of the district are numerous deposits of auriferous Tertiary channel gravels.

Ore Deposits: The lode deposits consist of northwest-trending quartz veins with stringers that contain finely divided free gold and pyrite. The veins occur principally in amphibolite and greenstone. Most of the milling ore averages '/j ounce of gold per ton or less, but several of the ore shoots have been mined to depths of 700 feet. Considerable high-grade ore was taken from shallow workings during the early days. Small amounts of tellurides and uranium minerals have been found in this district.

Mines: Lode: Commodore, Etna, Everlasting, Fellowcraft, Ford, Gottschalk, Golden Hill, Helen, Holland, Kate Hageman, Lookout Mtn., Mester, Pioneer Chief, Rathgeb, Thorpe, Union ($200,000+).

Placer: Benson, Central Hill, Lloyd, North Branch, Rising Star, Wheats.

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

14 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded


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

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ 'Allanite Group'
Formula: (A12+REE3+)(M13+M23+M32+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Ankerite
Formula: Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
ⓘ Antigorite
Formula: Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Description: γ = 1.573, α = 1.562, & birefringence = .010.
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
Description: A component of chloritic felsite.
ⓘ Dolomite
Formula: CaMg(CO3)2
ⓘ Hessite
Formula: Ag2Te
Description: Occurs in the main vein. Carries some gold.
ⓘ 'Hornblende Root Name Group'
Formula: ◻Ca2(C2+4C3+)(AlSi7O22)W2
Description: Occurs in the country rock.
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Description: Occurs in schist.
ⓘ Muscovite var. Mariposite
Formula: K(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
Description: Occurs in schist.
ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite
Formula: KAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Description: Occurs in schist.
ⓘ Native Gold
Formula: Au
Localities: Reported from at least 80 localities in this region.
ⓘ Petzite
Formula: Ag3AuTe2
Description: Occurs in the main vein.
References:
[… Geological Society of America Proceedings, 1933: 312-313, 1934]: 51
Storms, William H. (1899), Characteristic gold mines of the California gold belt: Mining and Scientific Press: 79: 108
Ransome, Frederick Leslie (1900), Description of the Mother Lode district, California: USGS Geol. Atlas, Mother Lode (No. 63), 11 pp.: 9
Knopf, Adolf (1929), The Mother Lode system of California: USGS Professional Paper 157, 88 pp.: 39
Clark, William B., Lydon, Philip A. (1963) Mines and Mineral Resources of Calaveras County, California. County Report 2. California Division of Mines and Geology
Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 286
Pemberton, H. Earl (1983) Minerals of California. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc.
ⓘ 'Psilomelane'
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Pyrolusite
Formula: Mn4+O2
Description: Good specimens.
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
Localities: Reported from at least 51 localities in this region.
ⓘ 'Serpentine Subgroup'
Formula: D3[Si2O5](OH)4
Description: Comprises country rock.
ⓘ Talc
Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
Description: Occurs as a component of talcose slate.
ⓘ 'Uraconite' ?
Description: Occurs as yellow ochres on pitchblende in contact with gold.
ⓘ Uraninite
Formula: UO2

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Gold1.AA.05Au
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘHessite2.BA.60Ag2Te
ⓘPetzite2.BA.75Ag3AuTe2
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘPyrolusite4.DB.05Mn4+O2
ⓘUraninite4.DL.05UO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘAnkerite5.AB.10Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
ⓘDolomite5.AB.10CaMg(CO3)2
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘTalc9.EC.05Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
ⓘMuscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘvar. Phengite9.EC.15KAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
ⓘvar. Mariposite9.EC.15K(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
ⓘAntigorite9.ED.15Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Unclassified
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Psilomelane'-
ⓘ'Hornblende Root Name Group'-◻Ca2(C2+4C3+)(AlSi7O22)W2
ⓘ'Serpentine Subgroup'-D3[Si2O5](OH)4
ⓘ'Uraconite' ?-
ⓘ'Allanite Group'-(A12+REE3+)(M13+M23+M32+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AntigoriteMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ Muscovite var. PhengiteKAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Hⓘ Muscovite var. MaripositeK(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
Hⓘ Serpentine SubgroupD3[Si2O5](OH)4
Hⓘ Allanite Group(A12+REE3+)(M13+M23+M32+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
CCarbon
Cⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
OOxygen
Oⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Oⓘ AntigoriteMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ Muscovite var. PhengiteKAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ PyrolusiteMn4+O2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Oⓘ UraniniteUO2
Oⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group◻Ca2(C42+C3+)(AlSi7O22)W2
Oⓘ Muscovite var. MaripositeK(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
Oⓘ Serpentine SubgroupD3[Si2O5](OH)4
Oⓘ Allanite Group(A12+REE3+)(M13+M23+M32+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Mgⓘ AntigoriteMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Mgⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Mgⓘ Muscovite var. PhengiteKAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Mgⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ Muscovite var. PhengiteKAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group◻Ca2(C42+C3+)(AlSi7O22)W2
Alⓘ Muscovite var. MaripositeK(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ AntigoriteMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ Muscovite var. PhengiteKAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Siⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group◻Ca2(C42+C3+)(AlSi7O22)W2
Siⓘ Muscovite var. MaripositeK(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
Siⓘ Serpentine SubgroupD3[Si2O5](OH)4
Siⓘ Allanite Group(A12+REE3+)(M13+M23+M32+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
SSulfur
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
KPotassium
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ Muscovite var. PhengiteKAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ Muscovite var. MaripositeK(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Caⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group◻Ca2(C42+C3+)(AlSi7O22)W2
CrChromium
Crⓘ Muscovite var. MaripositeK(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
MnManganese
Mnⓘ PyrolusiteMn4+O2
FeIron
Feⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Muscovite var. PhengiteKAl1.5(Mg,Fe)0.5(Al0.5Si3.5O10)(OH)2
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
CuCopper
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
AgSilver
Agⓘ HessiteAg2Te
Agⓘ PetziteAg3AuTe2
TeTellurium
Teⓘ HessiteAg2Te
Teⓘ PetziteAg3AuTe2
AuGold
Auⓘ Native GoldAu
Auⓘ PetziteAg3AuTe2
UUranium
Uⓘ UraniniteUO2

Localities in this Region

USA
USA

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
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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

Storms, William H. (1894), Ancient Channel System of Calaveras County: California Mining Bureau (Report 12): 482-492.
Turner, Henry Ward (1894), Geological atlas, Jackson (California) folio (Folio No. 11): 1-6.
Ransome, Frederick Leslie (1900), Description of the Mother Lode district, California: USGS Geological Atlas, Mother Lode (No. 63), 11 pp.
Lindgren, Waldemar (1911), The Tertiary gravels of the Sierra Nevada of California: USGS Professional Paper 73, 226 pp.: 209-210.
Knopf, Adolf (1929), The Mother Lode system of California: USGS Professional Paper 157, 88 pp.; […(abstract): Engineering & Mining Journal: 128: 24 (1929); […Geol. Zentralbl., Band 41: 364-367 (1930)]: 70-71.
Franke, Herbert A. & C.A. Logan (1936), Mines and mineral resources of Calaveras County: California Division Mines (Report 32): 32: 235-364.
Clark, William B., Lydon, Philip A. (1963) Mines and Mineral Resources of Calaveras County, California. County Report 2. California Division of Mines and Geology
Clark, W.B. (1970) Gold Districts of California. Bulletin 193. California Division of Mines & Geologyp.114
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