Ophir Mine (Uncle Sam Mine), Slate summit, Slate Range Mining District (Arondo Mining District), Slate Range, Inyo County, California, USAi
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
35° 49' 60'' North , 117° 16' 54'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Searles Valley | 1,739 (2011) | 13.2km |
| Ridgecrest | 28,780 (2017) | 42.2km |
| China Lake Acres | 1,876 (2011) | 48.5km |
| Johannesburg | 172 (2011) | 60.3km |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society, Inc. | Trona, California | 11km |
| Indian Wells Valley Gem & Mineral Society | Ridgecrest, California | 42km |
A former Pb-Cu-Ag-Zn-Au mine located in sec. 24, T24S, R43E, MDM, 12.2 km (7.6 miles) S of Slate summit, 4.5 km (2.8 miles) E of Valley Wells (Searles Valley), and 7 miles NE of Trona, on the western slope of the Slate Range, on private (patented) land. Operated during the period 1915 to 1949. MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 10 meters.
Mineralization is hosted in limestone. The ore body strikes N30W and dips 60-70W. Controls for ore emplacement included a fissure. Local rocks include Precambrian rocks, undivided, unit 1 (Death Valley) and/or Quaternary alluvium and marine deposits.
Workings include underground openings with an overall depth of 164.59 meters and comprised of a 540 foot vertical shaft and more than 2,500 feet of drifts and crosscuts.
Production data are found in: Norman, L.A. & Richard M. Stewart (1951)
Production statistics: Year: 1949 (ore - accurate): ^8% Pb, 10 ounces (282 grams Ag and 0.04 ounce (1 gram) Au/ton.
Production was over $500,000 (period values), mostly in Pb (1943). 50 tons of ore per week were mined averaging 20% Pb, 4% Zn, and 4 ounces of Ag per ton in 1953. During 1950 and 1952, several cars of dump material were shipped to Tooele. Smelter recovery was 18.5% Pb, 8.85% Zn, 3.5 ounces Ag per ton plus some Au.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsDetailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Cerussite Formula: PbCO3 |
| ⓘ Galena Formula: PbS Description: Primary ore mineral. References: |
| ⓘ Smithsonite Formula: ZnCO3 |
| ⓘ Wulfenite Formula: Pb(MoO4) Description: Occurs commonly in the oxidized zone. References: |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Galena | 2.CD.10 | PbS |
| Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
| ⓘ | Smithsonite | 5.AB.05 | ZnCO3 |
| ⓘ | Cerussite | 5.AB.15 | PbCO3 |
| Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
| ⓘ | Wulfenite | 7.GA.05 | Pb(MoO4) |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| C | Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| C | ⓘ Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| C | ⓘ Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | ⓘ Galena | PbS |
| Zn | Zinc | |
| Zn | ⓘ Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| Mo | Molybdenum | |
| Mo | ⓘ Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| Pb | Lead | |
| Pb | ⓘ Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| Pb | ⓘ Galena | PbS |
| Pb | ⓘ Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
Other Databases
| Link to USGS MRDS: | 10076639 |
|---|
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- 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 #0060270166
Ophir Mine, Slate summit, Slate Range Mining District, Slate Range, Inyo County, California, USA