Manzanita Mine, Cherry Hill deposit, Wilbur Springs, Sulphur Creek Mining District (Sulfur Creek Mining District; Wilbur Springs Mining District), Coast Ranges, Colusa County, California, USAi

Regional Level Types
Manzanita Mine	Mine
Cherry Hill deposit	Deposit
Wilbur Springs	Unincorporated Area
Sulphur Creek Mining District (Sulfur Creek Mining District; Wilbur Springs Mining District)	Mining District
Coast Ranges	- not defined -
Colusa County	County
California	State
USA	Country

A Au-Hg mine located in the NW¼ sec. 29, T14N, R5W, MDM, 1.2 km (4,000 feet) WSW of Wilbur Springs, along Sulphur Creek. Discovered 1863. Owned by Mrs. A. A. Gibson. Produced 1902-1909, 1911, 1917, and 1929-1934. MRDS database accuracy for this location is not stated (see note which follows).

NOTE: The MRDS database file presents geographic coordinates of: 39°01'56"N, 122°26'02"W; however, the named adit symbol on the topo map indicates the coordinates entered into this file for the locality.

This was the largest gold producing mine in the county (1865-1892) and the only Hg mine in California containing substantial amounts of free gold. Cinnabar was noted as being deposited by thermal waters in 1908. This mine was first operated for gold with cinnabar as a by-product.

Cherry Hill and Manzanita mines were discovered in 1863. These mines were worked primarily for gold until 1892. A Monticello and Hughes Mill was constructed in 1883. In 1888, ore was trammed to a 10-stamp mill where sodium amalgam and bluestone were used as charges. The total gold production from these mines is estimated at 3,000 ounces (Nelson and others, 1993). By 1892, mercury had become the primary interest. Mining consisted mostly of minor surficial workings and some short drifts. The mines were patented in 1893 and worked intermittently until 1916. In 1917, Cerise Gold Mining Company assumed ownership of the Cherry Hill and Manzanita mines, which were combined as the Cerise Mine. The mine operated for one year, producing a small amount of gold. An 8,000 foot long pipeline was extended from Bear Creek to the mines in 1920. At that time, underground workings in the Cerise Mine consisted of 1,000 feet of tunnels, 300 feet of which intersected ore. In 1922, Cherry Hill Gold Mining Company assumed ownership, although there was no production for seven years. In 1929, ownership changed to H.M. Newhall and Company, which leased to various operators, including the Shanjay Quicksilver Mining Company from 1930-1931 and the Western Mergers Company from 1932-1933. Mining of mercury continued until 1943. Recent Activity In 1977, Homestake Mining Company, through a drilling project, delineated a small deposit in the area of the Cherry Hill, West End, and Wide Awake mines. Mineralization extends throughout the area between the mines (Nelson and others, 1993). Homestake controlled part of the property until 2000 when it sold it s remaining interests.

Mineralization is a hot-spring Au-Hg deposit hosted in clastic sedimentary rock. The ore body is irregular in form. Alteration is local and involves a silicified zone. Local structures include local fulting and fracturing. Local rocks include Jurassic marine rocks, unit 2 (Coast Ranges).

Production data are found in: U. S. Bureau of Mines file data.

Analytical data results: ^5 pounds (2,259 grams) Hg/ton.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References