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Superior Mine (Old Superior Mine), Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA i
Regional Level Types
Superior Mine (Old Superior Mine) Mine (Abandoned)
Superior Unincorporated Community
Portage Township Township
Houghton County County
Michigan State
USA Country

Regional Level Types
Superior Mine (Old Superior Mine)	Mine (Abandoned)
Superior	Unincorporated Community
Portage Township	Township
Houghton County	County
Michigan	State
USA	Country

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Mine dump view.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Native Copper, etc.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Native Copper, etc.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Mine dump view.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Native Copper, etc.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Native Copper, etc.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Mine dump view.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Native Copper, etc.

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

47° 4' 37'' North , 88° 36' 5'' West

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

47.07722,-88.60139

GRN:

N32W44

Type:

Mine (Abandoned) - last checked 2024

Köppen climate type:

Dfb : Warm-summer humid continental climate

Nearest Settlements:

Place	Population	Distance
South Range	746 (2017)	3.3km
Houghton	7,970 (2017)	5.5km
Hancock	4,555 (2017)	5.7km
Dollar Bay	1,082 (2017)	8.3km
Hubbell	946 (2017)	16.8km

Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities

Club	Location	Distance
Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club	Dollar Bay, Michigan	8km

Mindat Locality ID:

23585

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:23585:8

GUID (UUID V4):

An underground copper mine located near Baltic. The Superior Mining Company organized in 1904. It consisted of two shafts that worked the Baltic lode. The mine closed in 1920, and was purchased by Calumet & Hecla in 1925. No further work was conducted after this time. In sixteen years of operation, the Superior Mine produced approximately 30 million pounds of refined copper. The piles are decent for copper and chalcocite minerals.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

ⓘ Copper

Mineral List

12 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Baryte

Formula: BaSO₄

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Chalcocite

Formula: Cu₂S

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Datolite

Formula: CaB(SiO₄)(OH)

Description: White porcelaneous masses have been found in vugs associated with prehnite and calcite. Some local collections contain nodules labeled as coming from here.

References:

Yalmer Primeau collection

ⓘ Epidote

Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ 'Heulandite Subgroup'

Formula: (Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O

References:

Dana 6: 1086

ⓘ 'K Feldspar'

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ 'K Feldspar var. Adularia'

Formula: KAlSi₃O₈

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Laumontite

Formula: CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Heinrich, E. W., Robinson, George Willard (2004) Mineralogy of Michigan (2nd ed.) A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and Michigan Technological University. 252pp.

ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Heinrich, E. W., Robinson, George Willard (2004) Mineralogy of Michigan (2nd ed.) A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and Michigan Technological University. 252pp.

ⓘ Native Copper

Formula: Cu

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Native Silver

Formula: Ag

References:

Heinrich, E. W., Robinson, George Willard (2004) Mineralogy of Michigan (2nd ed.) A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and Michigan Technological University. 252pp.

ⓘ Orthoclase

Formula: K(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Dana 6: 1086

ⓘ 'Pumpellyite Subgroup'

Formula: Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

USGS PP144

ⓘ Tenorite

Formula: CuO

References:

Heinrich, E. W., Robinson, George Willard (2004) Mineralogy of Michigan (2nd ed.) A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and Michigan Technological University. 252pp.

Gallery:

CaB(SiO₄)(OH)ⓘ Datolite

Datolite

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Datolite

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

Datolite

Superior Mine, Superior, Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Copper	1.AA.05	Cu
ⓘ	Native Silver	1.AA.05	Ag
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Chalcocite	2.BA.05	Cu₂S
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Tenorite	4.AB.10	CuO
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Baryte	7.AD.35	BaSO₄
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Datolite	9.AJ.20	CaB(SiO₄)(OH)
ⓘ	Epidote	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	var. Sericite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Orthoclase	9.FA.30	K(AlSi₃O₈)
ⓘ	Laumontite	9.GB.10	CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O
Unclassified
ⓘ	'K Feldspar var. Adularia'	-	KAlSi₃O₈
ⓘ	'Heulandite Subgroup'	-	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
ⓘ	'Pumpellyite Subgroup'	-	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
ⓘ	'K Feldspar'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Datolite	CaB(SiO₄)(OH)
H	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Heulandite Subgroup	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
H	ⓘ Laumontite	CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
B	Boron
B	ⓘ Datolite	CaB(SiO₄)(OH)
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
O	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Datolite	CaB(SiO₄)(OH)
O	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Heulandite Subgroup	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
O	ⓘ Laumontite	CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Tenorite	CuO
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Heulandite Subgroup	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
Al	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Heulandite Subgroup	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
Al	ⓘ Laumontite	CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
Si	ⓘ Datolite	CaB(SiO₄)(OH)
Si	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Heulandite Subgroup	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
Si	ⓘ Laumontite	CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄
S	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
K	ⓘ Heulandite Subgroup	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
K	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Datolite	CaB(SiO₄)(OH)
Ca	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Heulandite Subgroup	(Na/Ca/K)_5-6[Al_8-9 Si_27-28 O₇₂] · nH₂O
Ca	ⓘ Laumontite	CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
Cu	ⓘ Native Copper	Cu
Cu	ⓘ Tenorite	CuO
Ag	Silver
Ag	ⓘ Native Silver	Ag
Ba	Barium
Ba	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent

North America PlateTectonic Plate

Mid-continent DomainDomain
Mid-continent RiftNarrow Rift

USA

Michigan
- Keweenaw PeninsulaPeninsula
Midcontinent RiftGeologic Province

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

Dana, Edward Salisbury; Dana, James Dwight (1892) A System of Mineralogy (6th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Butler, B.S., Burbank, W.S. (1929) The Copper Deposits of Michigan. U.S. Geological Survey. Professional Paper 144. 238 pp.

White, W.S. (1956) Geologic Map of the Chassell Quadrangle, Michigan. United States Geological Survey Map MF-43, scale 1:24,000.

Morris, Tom (1983) Michigan Mineralogy. A locality Index. Rocks & Minerals, 58 (3). 107-113 doi:10.1080/00357529.1983.11767128p.109

Kilpela, T. (1995) The Hard Rock Mining Era in the Copper Country. Self-Published. 89 pages.

The Copper Country Rock & Mineral Club (2001) Red Gold and Tarnished Silver, 2nd edition. Self-Published. 44 pages.

Kaminski-Hamka, Terry (2011) Copper Mines of Houghton County, Michigan. Copperlady Press.

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