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Silver Cliff Mine (Rochelle Mine), Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USAi
Regional Level Types
Silver Cliff Mine (Rochelle Mine)Mine
LuskTown
Niobrara CountyCounty
WyomingState
USACountry

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PhotosMapsSearch
02901030017272025236981.jpg
Looking North West

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
04615320017272025276581.jpg
North portion

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
03961760017272025294470.jpg
Mine dump

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
02901030017272025236981.jpg
Looking North West

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
04615320017272025276581.jpg
North portion

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
03961760017272025294470.jpg
Mine dump

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
02901030017272025236981.jpg
Looking North West

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
04615320017272025276581.jpg
North portion

Silver Cliff Mine, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
42° 45' 42'' North , 104° 28' 10'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
42.76163,-104.46947
GeoHash:
G#: 9xteq8x8s
GRN:
N29W56
Type:
Mine
Köppen climate type:
BSk : Cold semi-arid (steppe) climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Lusk1,628 (2017)1.4km
Guernsey1,195 (2017)59.0km
Mindat Locality ID:
7310
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:7310:6
GUID (UUID V4):
0


A former U-Cu-Au-Ra-Ag occurrence/mine located in sec. 7, T32N, R63W, 6th Principal Meridian, 1.4 km (0.9 mile) W of Lusk. Discovered in 1879. Property comprises 160 acres. First produced in 1880 and closed about 1953. Leased by Joel L. Starnes, Lusk, Wyoming (1955); lessee: Wyoming Uranium Company (1950-1955); lessee: E.D. Lorimer (1918-1922). MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 50 meters. "Produced uranium in the 1920's and again in the early 1950's. Some Cu, Ag & Au were also recovered in 1879 and in the early 1880's.". Located on the top of the elongated hill W of Lusk. At least 5 workings and an adit are shown near the center of sec. 7 on the Lusk 24K topo map.

Mineralization is an U deposit with calcite veins and U occurring in sandstone. "The mineralization lies within and adjacent to a high-angle reverse fault that strikes N15E. It also occurs as a blanket deposit in iron-stained sandstone at the base of the Paleozoic rocks adjacent to the mineralized fault." "Most of the hill consists of Precambrian metamorphic rocks (muscovite schist interbedded with thin lenses of limy schist) unconformably overlain by calcareous Flathead(?) Sandstone or possibly Guernsey(?) Formation sandstone. The sandstone dips southeast.". Local rocks include Meta-sedimentary and metavolcanic rocks.

Regional geologic structures include the Hartville Uplift.

Workings include underground openings. Following the discovery of Ag-Cu-Au mineralization in 1879, a 285-foot-deep shaft was sunk, and a 1,200-foot inclined adit was driven to the bottom of the shaft. Five levels were established with at least 1,600 feet of drifts.". Ultimately, there were 4 large pits, and the 285 foot shaft with 5 level.

Analytical data results: Select samples contained 0.5% Au. Result: several samples yielded <0.02 to 10.88% Cu; 0.16 to 15.04% Ag; and 0.001 to 3.39% U3O8.

Production included $34,000 (period values) Ra (1922).

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.


Mineral List


18 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Actinolite
Formula: ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
ⓘ Andradite
Formula: Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
ⓘ Azurite
Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chrysocolla
Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
ⓘ Clinozoisite
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Copper
Formula: Cu
ⓘ Cuprite
Formula: Cu2O
ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'
ⓘ 'Feldspar Group var. Perthite'
ⓘ 'Gummite'
ⓘ Kaolinite
Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
References:
USGS Bull 315
ⓘ 'Limonite'
ⓘ Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
ⓘ Metatorbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Silver
Formula: Ag
Description: Native
ⓘ 'Tourmaline'
Formula: AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ Uraninite
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Uraninite var. Pitchblende
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Uranophane
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
References:
Larsen, E. S., Hess, F. L., Schaller, W. T. (1926) Uranium minerals from Lusk, Wyoming. American Mineralogist, 11 (6) 155-163
Wilmarth, V. R.; Johnson, D. H. (1954) Uranophane at Silver Cliff mine, Lusk, Wyoming. Bulletin 1009a. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1009a
Page, Lincoln R., Stocking, Hobart E., Smith, Harriet B. (1956) Contributions to the geology of uranium and thorium by the United States Geological Survey and Atomic Energy Commission for the United Nations International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, Switzerland, 1955. Professional Paper 300. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/pp300
Outerbridge, W. F., Staatz, M. H., Meyrowitz, R., Pommer, A. M. (1960) Weeksite, a new uranium silicate from the Thomas Range, Juab County, Utah. American Mineralogist, 45 (1-2) 39-52
Hausel, W. Dan, Jacobson, Mark (2001) Wyoming Mineral Locality Index. Rocks & Minerals, 76 (6) 380-393 doi:10.1080/00357520109603245p.388
ⓘ Weeksite
Formula: K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘCopper1.AA.05Cu
ⓘSilver1.AA.05Ag
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘCuprite4.AA.10Cu2O
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘUraninite
var. Pitchblende		4.DL.05UO2
ⓘ4.DL.05UO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘAzurite5.BA.05Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
ⓘMalachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘMetatorbernite8.EB.10Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘAndradite9.AD.25Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
ⓘUranophane9.AK.15Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
ⓘWeeksite9.AK.30K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O
ⓘClinozoisite9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘActinolite9.DE.10◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
ⓘKaolinite9.ED.05Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘChrysocolla9.ED.20Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Unclassified
ⓘ'Feldspar Group'-
ⓘ'Gummite'-
ⓘ'Limonite'-
ⓘ'Tourmaline'-AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ'Feldspar Group
var. Perthite'		-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Hⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Hⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Hⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Hⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Hⓘ WeeksiteK2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O
BBoron
Bⓘ TourmalineAD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
CCarbon
Cⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
OOxygen
Oⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Oⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Oⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Oⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ CupriteCu2O
Oⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Oⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ TourmalineAD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Oⓘ UraniniteUO2
Oⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Oⓘ WeeksiteK2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Alⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Siⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Siⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Siⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Siⓘ WeeksiteK2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
SSulfur
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
KPotassium
Kⓘ WeeksiteK2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O
CaCalcium
Caⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Caⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
FeIron
Feⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Feⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
CuCopper
Cuⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Cuⓘ CupriteCu2O
Cuⓘ CopperCu
Cuⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cuⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
AgSilver
Agⓘ SilverAg
UUranium
Uⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Uⓘ Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
Uⓘ UraniniteUO2
Uⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Uⓘ WeeksiteK2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS:10108466

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate

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

(n.d.) Minerals Availability System (MAS), U.S. Bureau of Mines.file #0560270062
RME 1002 Tepco files USGS (unverified).
DMEA Docket No. 3735, 65 p.
USGS Bulletin 315.
http://104.46947,42.76163/bul/1009a/report.pdf
Larsen, E. S., Hess, F. L., Schaller, W. T. (1926) Uranium minerals from Lusk, Wyoming. American Mineralogist, 11 (6) 155-163
USGS Oil & Gas Preliminary Map 102 (1949).
Wyoming Geological Survey (1952), Bulletin 45: 167.
Wilmarth, V. R.; Johnson, D. H. (1954) Uranophane at Silver Cliff mine, Lusk, Wyoming. Bulletin 1009a. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1009a
Page, Lincoln R., Stocking, Hobart E., Smith, Harriet B. (1956) Contributions to the geology of uranium and thorium by the United States Geological Survey and Atomic Energy Commission for the United Nations International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, Switzerland, 1955. Professional Paper 300. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/pp300 pp.97-103
Shaw, J.F., Wilson, S.R., Storms, W.R., Baroch, C.T., and Bauerle, L.C. (1956), Quarterly report on reconnaissance, exploration, and extraction of selenium (GSA Contract DMP-97), Research Report No. 36.8, 13 p. (unpublished report in File Room, Bldg. 20, Denver Federal Center as of 8/2010)
DMEA (1957), Docket No. 4704, 95 pp.
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (1957), Annual Report RME-3148, 1956-1957: 4.
Conservation Division Comp. Date (1959), (04-16-1959).
Outerbridge, W. F., Staatz, M. H., Meyrowitz, R., Pommer, A. M. (1960) Weeksite, a new uranium silicate from the Thomas Range, Juab County, Utah. American Mineralogist, 45 (1-2) 39-52
[1]Hausel, W. Dan (1997) Copper, Lead, Zinc, Molybdenum, And Associated Metal Deposits Of Wyoming. Bulletin 70. Wyoming Geological Survey pp.72-73
(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.
minerals.usgs.gov (n.d.) http://minerals.usgs.gov/dockets/scans/wy/dmea/3735_DMEA.pdf
minerals.usgs.gov (n.d.) http://minerals.usgs.gov/dockets/scans/wy/dmea/4704_DMEA.pdf
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