Bence Mine [1] (Tellurium Mine; Esmeralda Extension Mine), Esmeralda, Murphys Mining District (Esmeralda Mining District; Sperry Mining District), East Belt, Calaveras County, California, USAi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Bence Mine [1] (Tellurium Mine; Esmeralda Extension Mine) | Mine |
| Esmeralda | - not defined - |
| Murphys Mining District (Esmeralda Mining District; Sperry Mining District) | Mining District |
| East Belt | - not defined - |
| Calaveras County | County |
| California | State |
| USA | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
38° 9' 31'' North , 120° 31' 38'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Murphys | 2,213 (2015) | 6.2km |
| Mountain Ranch | 1,628 (2011) | 7.8km |
| Vallecito | 442 (2011) | 8.9km |
| Angels Camp | 2,677 (2012) | 10.1km |
| Forest Meadows | 1,249 (2015) | 10.6km |
Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
| Club | Location | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Calaveras Gem & Mineral Society | Angels Camp, California | 10km |
| Amador County Gem & Mineral Society | Sutter Creek, California | 35km |
A former Au mine located in the SE¼NE¼ sec. 34, T4N, R13E, MDM, about 6.6 km WNW of Murphys, along Indian Creek (1 mile SE of Fricot Ranch School). Operated in the 1860's, 1896, 1925-1928, 1932-1938. Probably worked in the 1879's and 1880's but no record remains. Intermittently active during the period 1932-1938. MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 500 meters.
Mineralization is hosted in slate and schist. The ore body strikes W and dips 75N at a thickness of 1.83 meters. Country rock is graphitic slate and quartz mica schist. Green schist lies just to the S. This mine is on the E end of a major vein system which includes the Bonehard, J&K and Esmeralda Mines. The vein ranges from 2 to 6 feet thick and dips from 60 to 75N. Another 10 foot vein on surface has not been developed.. IOre body contains free gold and abundant sulfides with some tellurides recovered in early operations. Local rocks include Paleozoic metavolcanic rocks, unit 4 (Western Sierra Nevada Foothills).
Workings include underground openings qwith an overall depth of 121.92 meters, and comprised of a 400 foot and a 175 fioot deep shafts, a 150 foot N crosscut adit to the vein with a 400 foot westward drift off the adit. The vein was stoped to surface adjacent to the shafts.
Production data are found in: Clark, Wm. B. & P.A. Lydon (1962).
Output amount was estimated at several thousand dollars (period values). The ore is free-milling. Ore mined in the 1930's was reported to avarage $10 (period values) per ton of free gold. Some ore was milled in 1934.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsDetailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Graphite Formula: C Description: Occurs in graphitic slate in country rock. |
| ⓘ Native Gold Formula: Au |
| ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 1 - Elements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Native Gold | 1.AA.05 | Au |
| ⓘ | Graphite | 1.CB.05a | C |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| C | Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| C | ⓘ Graphite | C |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Au | Gold | |
| Au | ⓘ Native Gold | Au |
Other Databases
| Link to USGS MRDS: | 10029223 |
|---|
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- Shoofly-Olds Ferry DomainDomain
- Sierra Nevada BatholithVolcanic Arc
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References
(n.d.) Minerals Availability System (MAS), U.S. Bureau of Mines.file ID #0060090664
