Zinc Hill Mine (Utacaia group; Colorado group; Darwin Zinc prospect), Zinc Hill, Zinc Hill Mining District, Argus Mts (Argus Range), Inyo County, California, USAi
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
36° 18' 26'' North , 117° 30' 27'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
A former Zn-Pb-Ag-U-Cu-Mo mine located in sec. 2, T19S, R41E, MDM, 1.7 km (1.1 miles) NW of Zinc Hill (coordinates of record), and 8.7 km (5.4 miles) ENE of Darwin, on National Park Service wilderness land (Death Valley National Park/Death Valley Wilderness). Operated during the periods 1917-1942 and 1941-1947. MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 10 meters.
Corrected coordinates : N36.30722 W117.50759 ; taken at remains of mining structures by Richard Muster in the year 2009 using an Ashtech MM6 device.
Mineralization is a replacement deposit of skarn replacements in limestone (marblized). Galena is locally abundant, pyrite and chalacopyrite are present in minor quantities. Diorite is an associated rock. Local rocks include Permian marine sedimentary rocks, unit 1 (Death Valley and Mojave Desert).
Rocks in the area are marble and limestone of Mississippian age, faulted against silty limestone of Permian age. The Mississippian limestone is faulted on both E and W sides of the mine area, against the silty, bluish-gray limestone of the Owens Valley Formation of Permian age. A diorite dike 1 to 2 feet thick, cuts Mississippian rocks in the southern end of the mine, strikes N65W, and dips vertically.
Local structures include the Zinc Hill Fault, which bounds the horst of Mississippian limestone on the west and has a stratigraphic throw of 27,000 feet.
Workings include surface and underground openings comprised of numerous open cuts, near-surface stopes and short adits.
Production data are found in: Hall and Mackevett (1958): 45.
Production history details: Ag: 40 grams/metric ton; Pb: 1 weight percent; Zn: 22 weight percent.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsMineral List
25 valid minerals.
Rock Types Recorded
Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!
Select Rock List Type
Alphabetical List Tree DiagramDetailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Adamite Formula: Zn2(AsO4)(OH) Colour: Pale to dark green Description: Rounded aggregates of crystals; individual groups seldomly greater than 2 mm. |
| ⓘ Adamite var. Copper-bearing Adamite Formula: (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH Colour: Pale to dark green Description: Rounded aggregates of crystals; individual groups seldomly greater than 2 mm. |
| ⓘ Anglesite Formula: PbSO4 References: |
| ⓘ Aurichalcite Formula: (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| ⓘ Autunite Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| ⓘ Azurite Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 Colour: Blue Description: Occurs as drusy crystals. |
| ⓘ Brochantite Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 Habit: Prismatic; acicular radial groups Colour: Emerald-green |
| ⓘ Calcite Formula: CaCO3 |
| ⓘ Cerussite Formula: PbCO3 |
| ⓘ Chalcopyrite Formula: CuFeS2 Description: Common in the upper workings. References: |
| ⓘ Chrysocolla Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| ⓘ Conichalcite Formula: CaCu(AsO4)(OH) Description: Bead-like balls forming aggregates to several mm's diameter. |
| ⓘ Galena Formula: PbS |
| ⓘ Gypsum Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| ⓘ Hemimorphite Formula: Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O References: |
| ⓘ Hydrozincite Formula: Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 References: |
| ⓘ Malachite Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 Colour: Green Description: Pseudomorphs after azurite. Coatings of bundles of crystals and paler green velvety surfaces. |
| ⓘ Mimetite Formula: Pb5(AsO4)3Cl References: |
| ⓘ Olivenite Formula: Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| ⓘ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 |
| ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
| ⓘ Rosasite Formula: (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| ⓘ Smithsonite Formula: ZnCO3 References: |
| ⓘ Sphalerite Formula: ZnS References: |
| ⓘ Tremolite Formula: ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| ⓘ Wulfenite Formula: Pb(MoO4) |
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
| ⓘ | Chalcopyrite | 2.CB.10a | CuFeS2 |
| ⓘ | Galena | 2.CD.10 | PbS |
| ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
| ⓘ | Calcite | 5.AB.05 | CaCO3 |
| ⓘ | Smithsonite | 5.AB.05 | ZnCO3 |
| ⓘ | Cerussite | 5.AB.15 | PbCO3 |
| ⓘ | Azurite | 5.BA.05 | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Malachite | 5.BA.10 | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Rosasite | 5.BA.10 | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Aurichalcite | 5.BA.15 | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| ⓘ | Hydrozincite | 5.BA.15 | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
| ⓘ | Anglesite | 7.AD.35 | PbSO4 |
| ⓘ | Brochantite | 7.BB.25 | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| ⓘ | Gypsum | 7.CD.40 | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| ⓘ | Wulfenite | 7.GA.05 | Pb(MoO4) |
| Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
| ⓘ | Adamite | 8.BB.30 | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| ⓘ | var. Copper-bearing Adamite | 8.BB.30 | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| ⓘ | Olivenite | 8.BB.30 | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| ⓘ | Conichalcite | 8.BH.35 | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| ⓘ | Mimetite | 8.BN.05 | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| ⓘ | Autunite | 8.EB.05 | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| Group 9 - Silicates | |||
| ⓘ | Hemimorphite | 9.BD.10 | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| ⓘ | Tremolite | 9.DE.10 | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Chrysocolla | 9.ED.20 | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | ⓘ Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| H | ⓘ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| H | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| H | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| H | ⓘ Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Adamite var. Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| H | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| H | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| H | ⓘ Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| H | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| C | Carbon | |
| C | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| C | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| C | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| C | ⓘ Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| C | ⓘ Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| C | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| C | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| C | ⓘ Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| O | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| O | ⓘ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| O | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| O | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| O | ⓘ Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Adamite var. Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| O | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| O | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| O | ⓘ Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| O | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| O | ⓘ Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | ⓘ Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| Si | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | ⓘ Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| P | Phosphorus | |
| P | ⓘ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | ⓘ Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| S | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| S | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Galena | PbS |
| S | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| S | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| Cl | Chlorine | |
| Cl | ⓘ Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| Ca | Calcium | |
| Ca | ⓘ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| Ca | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| Ca | ⓘ Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| Ca | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| Ca | ⓘ Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Cu | Copper | |
| Cu | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| Cu | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| Cu | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| Cu | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Cu | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| Cu | ⓘ Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| Cu | ⓘ Adamite var. Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| Cu | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| Cu | ⓘ Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| Cu | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| Zn | Zinc | |
| Zn | ⓘ Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| Zn | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| Zn | ⓘ Adamite var. Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| Zn | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| Zn | ⓘ Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| Zn | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| Zn | ⓘ Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| Zn | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| As | Arsenic | |
| As | ⓘ Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| As | ⓘ Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| As | ⓘ Adamite var. Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| As | ⓘ Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| As | ⓘ Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| Mo | Molybdenum | |
| Mo | ⓘ Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| Pb | Lead | |
| Pb | ⓘ Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| Pb | ⓘ Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| Pb | ⓘ Galena | PbS |
| Pb | ⓘ Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| Pb | ⓘ Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| U | Uranium | |
| U | ⓘ Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
Other Databases
| Link to USGS MRDS: | 10076668 |
|---|
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- Antler Foreland BasinBasin
- Basin and Range BasinsBasin
- Mojave DomainDomain
- Southern Basin and RangeWide Rift
USA
- Sierra NevadaMountain Range
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References
(n.d.) Minerals Availability System (MAS), U.S. Bureau of Mines.file ID #0060270240







Zinc Hill Mine, Zinc Hill, Zinc Hill Mining District, Argus Mts, Inyo County, California, USA