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LOCATION 11N 18E Sec. 17 SBM 35.03335 -115.06749 (Producer, or millsite; MRSD, 2011) 11N 18E Sec. 16 SBM 35.02782 -115.03442 (Past Producer, MRDS, 2011) Note: The MRDS locations for the Leister Ray, California-Comstock and Louisiana-California mines are within 1,000 meters of each other. They represent separate deposits with common development histories. MINE GEOLOGY 1919 The only known occurrence of vanadium ores in California is that found in the Signal District, 8 miles north of Goffs at the properties of Lombard and Main, and the Louisiana California Mining Company. The ore occurs in the gold quartz veins and has been identified by Schaller as cuprodescloizite (Shaller, 1911) Samples of vanadium ore sent to Schaller by A. L. Lombard and ,T. F. Main from Camp Signal proved to be coated with cuprodescloizite (21% V2O5 in the mineral). The associated lead minerals are cerusite and vanadinite from which the cuprodescloizite seems to be derived. A qualitative test showed the presence in quantity of lead, copper, zinc, vanadium, and a little water . A direct quantitative determination of the vanadium gave 21 % of V2O5. The material when examined under the microscope was seen to be well crystallized in minute, colorless, or pale-yellow plates. Some of these are square or oblong, others irregularly shaped. While there has not been as yet any commercial production of vanadium, we may expect such production during this year with the completion of the new concentration mill of the Louisiana California Mining Company (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 849-850). The vanadium occurs as a coating along seams in quartz vein in the form of cuprodescloizite. The vein varying from 4 feet to 12 feet in width is deposited along the contact of granite and porphyry. It strikes N. 60° E. and dips 45° N. (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 851). 1921 Vanadium ores are found in the Signal district, 8 miles north of Goffs at the properties of Lombard and Main, and at the Louisiana California Mine. The ore occurs here in gold quartz veins and has been identified by Shaller as cuprodescloizite. The associated lead minerals are cerussite. and vanadinite (Tucker 1921, p.374). 1923 The vein is of typical quartz type, outcropping strongly across the surface of the claims, and carries gold, silver and vanadium values (Newman, 1923, p. 310-311). 1930 Occurrences of this metal [vanadium] have been found at Camp Signal, near Goffs, and two companies at one time did considerable development work in the endeavor to open up orebodies of commercial quantities. Each had a small mill in operation in 1916, but no commercial output was made. Ore carrying the mineral, cuprodeseloizite, was developed and reported to assay 4 per cent V205. Vanadium occurs at the Louisiana-California Mine as a coating along seams in the quartz vein in the form of cuprodesclozite (Tucker, 1930, p.296). 1931 Ore carrying the mineral, cuprodescloizite, was developed and reported to assay 4% V2O5. Vanadium occurs at the Louisiana-California Mine as a coating along seams in the quartz vein in the form of cuprodescloizite (Tucker and Sampson, 1931, p. 368-369). 1940 Two parallel veins from 4 ft. to 12 ft. in width occur in granite; strike E.-W., dip 45° N. The veins are cut by a series of diabase and andesitic porphyry dikes which strike NE. and SW. The ore carries values in gold and silver associated with galena, cerusite, chalcopyrite and vanadinite. The vanadium occurs as a coating along seams in the quartz vein in the form of cuprodescloizite (Tucker, 1940, p. 70). 1953 Two parallel quartz veins in granite, 4 to 12 ft. wide, strike east, dip 45° N. Vanadium occurs as vanadinite and thin coatings of cuprodescloizite, a copper-lead-zinc vanadate, along seams in the quartz. Lead, gold and silver also present (Wright and others, 1953, Map No. 390, p. 120). 1956 The hill east of the Leiser Ray mine (no. 141, pl. 2) is n. body of sheared granite which is intruded by the underlying Teutonia quartz monzonite (see p. 63) and overlain by cap of basalt of Tertiary age (see p. 82). The granite is largely made up of course orthoclase crystals (1 to 1.5 inches Iong) in a sheered matrix of biotite and quartz. It therefor resembles the common rock at the north end of Lucy Grey range and southeast of Sheep Mountain (Hewett, 1956, p. 20). In the hills, 1 mile northwest and 2 miles northeast of benchmark 3,355 (near Leiser Ray mine), basalt flows rest upon a surface of low relief carved on quartz monzonite with only sporadic arkosic sands intervening. These flows appear to dip gently south and, with the basalt-capped hills farther northeast indicate a low anticline that strikes about N. 60° E. Specimen 131 (table 8) appears to be typical of the basalts of these hills. The hill that lies about 2 miles southeast of benchmark 3,355 is also capped with basalt flow and scoria that rest upon a surface carved on granite gneiss and dip 10° N (Hewett, 1956, p. 82). Teulonia quartz monzonite underlies the area (fig. 25). It. is a light-gray rock containing conspicuous biotite, quartz, and both fine and coarse orthoclase. A large area of this rock west of the mine workings is altered to 11 dense gray rock with numerous reddish patches. The gray portion is wholly fine sericite and quartz. The reddish patches contain fine-grained quartz and feldspar; the color is due Lo disseminated iron oxide, doubtless derived from pyrite. The rock presents, therefore, evidence of almost complete hypogene alteration (sericitc and pyrite) as well as fine-grained silica (see p. 117) formed by supergene processes. There are at least four varieties of dikes that cut the monzonite. Three of the dikes- monzonite porphyry (much like that of the Kingston Range, see p. 67), aplite, and andesite- contain feldspar phenocrysts but no quartz and arc pre-mineral, but the fourth, probably lamprophyre, is post-mineral. On the 200-foot. inclined shaft, the vein is cut by five such dark dikes (Hewett, 1956, p. 134). The principal vein crops out prominently along the crest of a ridge where the width ranges from 2 to 7 foot. The strike is nearly due east and the dip 45° N. A Narrower parallel vein crops out 75 feet south. The vein is quartz with sparse druses but without layering. The only sulfides noted were sparse chalcopyrite and galena; traces of specular hematite are present. Among several oxidation products the vanadat3s, principally descolzite and cuprodescloizite (Schaller, 1911), are abundant as crusts and needles of diverse colors- yellow, brown, greenish and black (Hewett, 1956, p. 134). 1960 Tishler and others (1960a) mapped the area of the area of the Leister Ray mine as (Kqm). 1961-1987 Ag, Cu, Au, and Pb reported produced 1913, 1916- 17, and 1935-36, from 925 foot shaft with nine levels, an incline, and several other shafts, adits and pits Geology: copper, lead, and zinc sulfides and vanadates with silver and gold in two parallel 4- 12' wide quartz veins that strike E and dip 45 °N in quartz monzonite (Osterling and Spruckmn, 1987, p. 109). 1990 Quartz monzonite with basic dikes and bull quartz veins. The dikes and quartz veins generally trend N.60o-80oW. An dip steeply to the northeast (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No. 596, p. 197). Twenty-four samples, (CAL 51-57, 60-61, 64-69, 81-85, 88-89, 91-92) were taken. No resource calculations were made for this area. Samples contained as much as 8,660 and 2,910 ppb gold, 358 ppm silver, 2,700 ppm zinc, >1% copper and 8,000 ppm lead (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No. 596, p. 197). 2007 Miller and others (2007) mapped the rocks at the Leiser Ray as Cretaceous Porphyritic granodiorite (Kpg).
LOCATION 11N 18E Sec. 21 SBM 35.02613 -115.03332 (MRDS, 2011, Past Producer) 11N 18E Sec. 16 SBM 35.03332 -115.04112 (MRDS, 2011, Occurrence) Note: The MRDS locations for the California-Comstock, Leiser Ray and Louisiana-California mines are within 1,000 meters of each other. They represent separate deposits with common development histories. 1919 This property, consisting of 8 claims, and developed essentially for gold, reports the occurrence of vanadium in the lower workings (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 851). 1923 Vanadium Gold Co. This company has acquired what was formerly known as the Louisiana-California Mining Co., located 8 miles north of the town of Golfs. The claims are located at an elevation of 3600 feet, on a low rolling range of mountains (Newman, 1923, p. 310-311). 1930 Vanadium occurs at the Louisiana-California Mine as a coating along seams in the quartz vein in the form of cuprodescloizite (Tucker, 1930, p. 296). 1931 Lombard and Main Group (formerly California Vanadium Company) is in the Signal District, about 8 miles north of Goffs. Idle Occurrences of this metal [vanadium] have been found at Camp Signal, near Goffs, (Tucker and Sampson, 1931, p. 367-369). 1940 The property comprises 8 claims situated in the Signal Mining District, in Sec. 15 and 22, T. 11N., R. 18 E., S. B. M., 8 miles north of Goffs; elevation 3350 feet (Tucker, 1940, p. 70). 1948 California-Comstock Gold Mines, Section 16, T. 11N. R.18E, SBM (Eric, 1948, Deposit 54, p. 301) Louisiana-California Gold Mining Co., Sections 15 and 22, T.11N, R. 18E, SBM (Eric, 1949, Deposit 189, p. 301). 1953 Sections 15 and 22, T.11N. R.18E, SBM; Northeast of Goffs, California. (Wright and others, 1953, Map No. 390, p. 120). 1957 Eight claims in Signal Hill district, 8 miles north of Gaffs at 3350 feet elevation. (Goodwin, 1957, Map No. 189, p. 621). MINE GEOLOGY 1919 The only known occurrence of vanadium ores in California is that found in the Signal District, 8 miles north of Goffs at the properties of Lombard and Main, and the Louisiana California Mining Company. The ore occurs in the gold quartz veins and has been identified by Schaller as cuprodescloizite (Shaller, 1911) Samples of vanadium ore sent to Schaller by A. L. Lombard and T. F. Main from Camp Signal proved to be coated with cuprodescloizite (21% V2O5 in the mineral). The associated lead minerals are cerusite and vanadinite from which the cuprodescloizite seems to be derived. A qualitative test showed the presence in quantity of lead, copper, zinc, vanadium, and a little water. A direct quantitative determination of the vanadium gave 21 % of V2O5. The material when examined under the microscope was seen to be well crystallized in minute, colorless, or pale-yellow plates. Some of these are square or oblong, others irregularly shaped. While there has not been as yet any commercial production of vanadium, we may expect such production during this year with the completion of the new concentration mill of the Louisiana California Mining Company (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 849-850). The vanadium occurs as a coating along seams in quartz vein in the form of cuprodescloizite. The vein varying from 4 feet to 12 feet in width is deposited along the contact of granite and porphyry. It strikes N. 60° E. and dips 45° N. (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 851). 1921 Vanadium ores are found in the Signal district, 8 miles north of Goffs at the properties of Lombard and Main, and at the Louisiana California Mine. The ore occurs here in gold quartz veins and has been identified by Shaller as cuprodescloizite. The associated lead minerals are cerussite. and vanadinite (Tucker 1921, p.374). 1923 The vein is of typical quartz type, outcropping strongly across the surface of the claims, and carries gold, silver and vanadium values (Newman, 1923, p. 310-311). 1930 Occurrences of this metal [vanadium] have been found at Camp Signal, near Goffs, and two companies at one time did considerable development work in the endeavor to open up orebodies of commercial quantities. Each had a small mill in operation in 1916, but no commercial output was made. Ore carrying the mineral, cuprodeseloizite, was developed and reported to assay 4 per cent V205. Vanadium occurs at the Louisiana-California Mine as a coating along seams in the quartz vein in the form of cuprodesclozite (Tucker, 1930, p.296). 1931 Ore carrying the mineral, cuprodescloizite, was developed and reported to assay 4% V2O5. Vanadium occurs at the Louisiana-California Mine as a coating along seams in the quartz vein in the form of cuprodescloizite (Tucker and Sampson, 1931, p. 368-369). 1940 Two parallel veins from 4 ft. to 12 ft. in width occur in granite; strike E.-W., dip 45° N. The veins are cut by a series of diabase and andesitic porphyry dikes which strike NE. and SW. The ore carries values in gold and silver associated with galena, cerusite, chalcopyrite and vanadinite. The vanadium occurs as a coating along seams in the quartz vein in the form of cuprodescloizite (Tucker, 1940, p. 70). 1953 Two parallel quartz veins in granite, 4 to 12 ft. wide, strike east, dip 45° N. Vanadium occurs as vanadinite and thin coatings of cuprodescloizite, a copper-lead-zinc vanadate, along seams in the quartz. Lead, gold and silver also present (Wright and others, 1953, Map No. 390, p. 120). 1957 Goodwin (1957) classified the California Comstock as a Class D (Production 0 to 100,000 lbs), Type 2 mine (Lead-Copper-Zinc complex ores with gold and silver values often exceeding base metal value. Scheelite may be present in contact zones and mesothermal fissure veins). [The California-Comstock Mine] had two parallel quartz veins 4 to 12 feet wide in granite, strike E and dip 45°N. Complex mineralization of vanadinite and cuprodescloizite , with lead, silver, and gold (Goodwin, 1957, Map No. 189, p. 621). 1960 Tishler and others (1960a) mapped the area of the area of the California Comstock mine as (Kqm). 2007 Miller and others (2007) mapped the rocks at the California Comstock as (Kpg
LOCATION 11N 17E Sec. 20 SBM 35.02363 -115.17026 (MRDS, 2011) 11N 17E Sec. 20 SBM 35.02082 -115.17022 (MRDS, 2011) OWNERSHIP 1916 J. C. Kinsman has installed a Stebbins dry concentrator at Goffs, California, to operate on tungsten ore from the Signal district (Mining and Oil Bulletin, 1916, p. 143). 1919 Owner: A. L. Lombard and J. F. Main Estate, Goffs, California; office address, 540 I. W. Hellman Bldg., Los Angeles, California (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 846). 1922 Vanadium Gold Company. The following are the officers of the company, having head offices at 310 S. I. Ferry Terminal, New York City: President, L. C. Butler; Secretary. A. E. Post; General Manager, H. W. Evans (Newman, 1922, p. 310). 1930 Lomabard and Main Group, formerly California Vanadium Company (Tucker and Sampson, 1930, p. 294). 1941, 1953 Last reported owners were A. L. Lombard and J. F. Main Estate, Goffs (Partridge, 1941, p. 307; cited in Wright and others, 1953, p. 120). DEVELOPMENT 1919 Lombard and Main, formerly the California Vanadium Company, have a large number of claims adjoining the property of the Louisiana California Mining Company and have uncovered a few promising veins. Some development work was done several years ago on gold-bearing veins on this property, and the later work is practically all superficial, several tons of fairly high grade float have been found and treated at the mill lately erected by the owners. The mill consists of Braun roll and a Stebbins dry concentrator. About one ton of concentrates, that is said will average 75% tungstic oxide and are being held for higher market price, have been produced. The dry concentrator is reported to be thoroughly satisfactory for the treatment of this ore. It is operated by a gas engine. Mill was idle when visited, as the owners were doing some rospecting work on their claims (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 845-846). 1922 The property consists of 10 claims or 194 acres and was discovered in 1902 and worked till 1908, when it was sold to the Laiser Rae Company. In 1911, it was taken over by the Louisiana- California Mining Company, and, in 1912, by the present company (Newman, 1922, p. 310). It is opened by a series of incline shafts, the deepest of which is 900 feet. A 100-ton concentration plant was erected by the old company, power being furnished by gas engines for both mine and mill. Distillate and tops have been used as fuel. The present company for the last eight months has been developing and blocking out ore, putting in raises and ore chutes and getting ready for active operations. Scarcity of water has been one of the drawbacks in times past, so the present company is developing an additional water supply to enable the mill to run both day and night (Newman, 1922, p. 310). 1941 There was a reported production from the mine in 1915 and 1916. The property is now idle. Little work was done on the deposit, the development being mostly superficial. A small mill was erected, which consisted of Braun rolls and a Stebbins dry concentrator which were operated by a gas engine (Partridge, 1941, p. 307). MINE GEOLOGY 1922 The vein is of typical quartz type, outcropping strongly across the surface of the claims, and carries gold, silver and vanadium values (Newman, 1922, p. 310). 1941 The ore is wolframite occurring in veins in granite. High-grade float was found in the vicinity (Partridge, 1941, p. 307). 1953 Wolframite and vanadium mineral in placer materials and in veins cutting granite. Idle (Wright and others, 1953, Tungsten Table, p. 120) 1960 Tishler and others, (1960a) mapped the area of the Lombard and Main Tungsten Group as Quaternary fan deposits (Qf). 2007 Miller and other (2007) mapped the rocks at the Lombard and Main Group as Quaternary alluvial fanglomerate (Qaf) with Miocene volcanic rocks (Tv1) to the north.
This is the text section of the paper "Geology of the Old Mojave Road and Surrounding Areas, San Bernardino County, California and Clark County, Nevada”
LOCATION 12N 18E Sec. 30 SBM 35.09445999960 -115.08471 (MRDS, 2011) 1964, 1987 Location: *E1/2NE1/4, Sec. 25, T.12N., R.17E., and S1/2. Sec. 19 and Sec. 30, T.12N., R.18E., SBBM, San Bernardino Co. (Southern Pacific, 1964/1987; Oesterling, and Spurck, 1964, p. 127-128). 1990 T12N, R.18E, Section 30, SBM (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Map No. 595, Table 2, p. 196). OWNERSHIP Not reported DEVELOPMENT 1964, 1987 Description: seven shafts and numerous pits (Southern Pacific, 1964/1987; Oesterling, and Spurck, 1964, p. 127-128). 1990 Numerous pits and several shafts. No known production. The deepest shaft is in excess of 50 feet deep. Recent work resulted in an open pit 300 ft in diameter and 30 ft deep from which material was extracted for heap leaching. A leach pad (200 ft by 100 ft by 1S ft) containing about 20,000 tons of material exists at the property (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Map No. 595, Table 2, p. 196). GEOLOGY OF THE VONTRIGGER HILLS The geology of the Vontrigger Hills was described by Ted Theodore (1996, p. 121): Bedrock of the Vontrigger Hills is mostly Early Proterozoic granitoid rocks (unit Xg1, pl. 1), dated between 1,660 and 1,695 Ma, and migmatite (Xm). Small areas of Miocene volcanic rocks (Tv1) and Cretaceous granitoid rocks (Kpg) are found mainly in the western part of the area. Stream-sediment samples from the Vontrigger Hills do not contain anomalous concentrations of any elements. However, concentrate samples have anomalous concentrations of Ag and Ba, and rock samples have anomalous concentrations of Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Bi, Mo, Be, B, and Nb. The area is geochemically moderately anomalous overall. Possible deposit types include porphyry copper-molybdenum, polymetallic veins and replacement bodies, and REE-Nb-bearing pegmatites (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). Six mineral occurrences in the Vontrigger Hills include three polymetallic veins, two low-sulfide gold-quartz veins, and one polymetallic fault (pl. 2). All occurrences are far removed from the Cretaceous granitoid that crops out near the southwest end of the Vontrigger Hills (pl. 1), and all the occurrences are hosted by Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. Mineralization is extremely widespread at some localities (pl. 2), such as in the general area of the Rattlesnake Mine (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, map no. 592, pl. 1), where numerous prospect pits, shafts, and a partially reclaimed open cut approximately 100 m wide follow favorable indications of gold mineralization of various attitudes and types in an area of about 3 km2. Much of the gold mineralization initially exploited at the Rattlesnake Mine, classified as polymetallic vein, is along a 10-m-wide zone of intensely silicified and highly fractured, foliated Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. This mineralized zone has a strike of about N. 70° W. and is present at the north edge of a porphyritic monzogranite of undetermined size (not shown on pl. 1). Numerous unmineralized porphyritic granite dikes containing K-feldspar phenocrysts cut the Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). MINE GEOLOGY 1956 Hewett’s map (1956) has the Rattlesnake Mine in PreCambrian gneiss and granite (€g) 1960 Tishler and Bonham (1960c) mapped the area of the Rattlesnake mine as Pre-Cambrian Granite – gneiss (p€gr). the Rattlesnake mine shafts are associated directly with Quartz monzononite porphyry dikes within the PreCambrian gneiss. Tishler and others (1960b) said this of the Vontrigger Hills gneissic granite: …cropping out in the Vontrigger Hills as well as the Tungsten Flat Signal Hill area is gneissic granite. This granite, which ranges in color from light bluish gray (5 B 7/1) to medium bluish gray (5 B 5/1), is composed largely of coarse orthoclase crystals (1/4" long) in a sheared and rolled quartz and biotite matrix. In the Vontrigger Hills the granite gneiss is intruded by quartz monzonite porphyry dikes and crushed granite porphyry dikes which are composed of rounded orthoclase, biotite,and sericite (Tishler and others, 1960b, p. 12) 1964, 1987 Geology: gold, chalcopyrite, malachite, and azurite in narrow quartz veins in steeply dipping shear zones that trend NW in gneiss Conclusions: shows limited promise. (Southern Pacific, 1960; Oesterling and Spurck, 1964, p. 128; Tishler and Boham, 1960a, 1960b). Geology: gold-copper? mineralization associated with alaskite dikes along nearly vertical shear zones that generally strike NW in granite gneiss (Southern Pacific, 1964/1987; Oesterling, and Spurck, 1964, p. 127-128). 1990 Quartz diorite·to·quartz monzonite gneiss occurs with biotite schist and alaskite. A large zone of mylonite exists in the vicinity of the older workings. (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Map No. 595, Table 2, p. 196). Twenty samples (CAL·27, 70·80, 93·100) from pits and shafts in the area. No resources calculated. Samples contained up to 784 and 662 ppb gold and >1% copper (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Map No. 595, Table 2, p. 196). 2007 Miller and others (2007) mapped the rocks at the Rattlesnake mine as Younger Proterozoic granitoids (Xg1)
LOCATION 12N 17E Sec. 33 SBM 35.08113000020 -115.15055 (MRDS, 2011) 12N 17E Sec. 33 SBM 35.08171999970 -115.15023 (MRDS, 2011) 12N 17E Sec. 33 SBM 35.08113000040 -115.15111 (MRDS, 2011 “Unnamed” Mine). This mine is in the Bobcat Hill, a northwestern extension of the Vontrigger Hills. 1953 Section 22?. T.12N, R.17E, SBM, North of Goffs (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 193, p. 60). 1964, 1987 Location: NE1/4 Sec. 33, T.12N ., R.17E., SBBM, San Bernardino Co. (Southern Pacific, 1964c, 1964d; Oesterling and Spurck, 1964, p. 128; Tishler and Boham, 1960a, 1960b). Also in MRDS as “Unnamed” mine. 1990 T.12N, r.17 E, Section 33 SBM (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No. 588, p. 195). OWNERSHIP Fred cram, Box 6, Ivanpah, California (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 193, p. 60). DEVELOPMENT 1911 Mr. Harwood Robbins, a nephew· of J. D. Rockefeller. Mr. Tucker of Riverside [California] who is heavily interested in the California Gold &. Copper Co. and an expert made a visit to the True Blue property and were well satisfied. They purchased a· fifteen horsepower hoist from the Vontrigger. Mercantile Company and also ordered timbers and all material and expect to work as soon as possible (Los Angeles Mining Review, 1911, June 8). 1953 Developed by several shafts; one shaft 100 ft. with 200-ft. drift at bottom. Single stamp mill on property. Owner reports Albert Cram, father, produced $40,000 from property in early 1890's. Latest production, 7 tons gold ore in 1936. Idle (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 193, p. 60). 1964, 1987 Description: at least seven shafts to 125 feet deep with several hundred feet of drifts; reportedly yielded $40,000 in gold in early 1890's and seven tons of gold ore in 1936 (Southern Pacific, 1960; Oesterling and Spurck, 1964, p. 128; Tishler and Boham, 1960a, 1960b). 1990 Workings consisted of five shafts (one 30 feet deep) and about six pits. Most workings and dumps have been bulldozed shut and no trace of possible ore exists. No evident trenches or zones exist on the surface. (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No. 588, p. 195). GEOLOGY OF THE VONTRIGGER HILLS The geology of the Vontrigger Hills was described by Ted Theodore (1996, p. 121): Bedrock of the Vontrigger Hills is mostly Early Proterozoic granitoid rocks (unit Xg1, pl. 1), dated between 1,660 and 1,695 Ma, and migmatite (Xm). Small areas of Miocene volcanic rocks (Tv1) and Cretaceous granitoid rocks (Kpg) are found mainly in the western part of the area. Stream-sediment samples from the Vontrigger Hills do not contain anomalous concentrations of any elements. However, concentrate samples have anomalous concentrations of Ag and Ba, and rock samples have anomalous concentrations of Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Bi, Mo, Be, B, and Nb. The area is geochemically moderately anomalous overall. Possible deposit types include porphyry copper-molybdenum, polymetallic veins and replacement bodies, and REE-Nb-bearing pegmatites (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). Six mineral occurrences in the Vontrigger Hills include three polymetallic veins, two low-sulfide gold-quartz veins, and one polymetallic fault (pl. 2). All occurrences are far removed from the Cretaceous granitoid that crops out near the southwest end of the Vontrigger Hills (pl. 1), and all the occurrences are hosted by Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. Mineralization is extremely widespread at some localities (pl. 2), such as in the general area of the Rattlesnake Mine (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, map no. 592, pl. 1), where numerous prospect pits, shafts, and a partially reclaimed open cut approximately 100 m wide follow favorable indications of gold mineralization of various attitudes and types in an area of about 3 km2. Much of the gold mineralization initially exploited at the Rattlesnake Mine, classified as polymetallic vein, is along a 10-m-wide zone of intensely silicified and highly fractured, foliated Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. This mineralized zone has a strike of about N. 70° W. and is present at the north edge of a porphyritic monzogranite of undetermined size (not shown on pl. 1). Numerous unmineralized porphyritic granite dikes containing K-feldspar phenocrysts cut the Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). MINE GEOLOGY 1953 Narrow gold-bearing quartz stringers in Archean metamorphic rocks (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 193, p. 60). 1956 Hewett’s map (1956) has the True Blue Mine surrounded on three sides (east, west, south) by (Tfs). The True Blue Mine is in PreCambrian gneiss and granite (€g). 1960 Tishler and Bonham (1960a) mapped the area of the True Blue mine as Pre-Cambrian Granite – gneiss (p€gr). Tishler and others (1960b) said this of the Vontrigger Hills gneissic granite: …cropping out in the Vontrigger Hills as well as the Tungsten Flat Signal Hill area is gneissic granite. This granite, which ranges in color from light bluish gray (5 B 7/1) to medium bluish gray (5 B 5/1), is composed largely of coarse orthoclase crystals (1/4" long) in a sheared and rolled quartz and biotite matrix. In the Vontrigger Hills the granite gneiss is intruded by quartz monzonite porphyry dikes and crushed granite porphyry dikes which are composed of rounded orthoclase, biotite,and sericite (Tishler and others, 1960b, p. 12) 1964, 1987 Geology: gold, chalcopyrite, malachite, and azurite in narrow quartz veins in steeply dipping shear zones that trend NW in gneiss Conclusions: shows limited promise. (Southern Pacific, 1960; Oesterling and Spurck, 1964, p. 128; Tishler and Boham, 1960a, 1960b). 1990 Precambrian granitic rocks · Metamorphosed with chlorite and malachite/azurite staining on dump. Extensive evidence of hydrothermal alteration. (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No. 588, p. 195). Four samples, CAL 4·S and 30·31, taken from selected material from dumps. Malachite/azurite chloritized Precambrian granitic rocks. No visible sulfides. Samples contained up to 8,440 and 4,S60 ppb gold and 0.8% and 0.6% copper (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No. 588, p. 195). 2007 Miller and others (2007) mapped the rocks at the True Blue mine as Younger Proterozoic granitoids (Xg1)
LOCATION 11N 18E Sec. 34 SBM 34.98974 -115.02332 (MRDS, 2011) 11N 18E Sec. 34 SBM 34.99002 -115.02302 9MRDS, 2011) Note: These locations are in the center of Section 34. The deposit could be anywhere in that section. The description of the mine being in Section 34 was depicted as uncertain in Wright and others (1953, p. 372). No extensive mine workings are visible today in the aerial photographs for Section 34 (Figure 8 this report). 1919 The Argosy Mine, consisting of three claims, is six miles north of Goffs and is the most southerly deposit of that district (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 844-845). 1930 Argosy Mine, consisting of 3 claims, is in the Signal District, 6 miles north of Goffs (Tucker and Sampson, 1930. P. 291). 1931 Lombard and Main Group (formerly California Vanadium Company) is in the Signal District, about 8 miles north of Goffs. Idle (Tucker and Sampson, 1931, p. 367). 1941 Argosy Mine, Location. T. 11, N., R. 17 E., S.B. This mine, consisting of three claims, is 6 miles north of Goffs and is the southernmost mine of the Eastern San Bernardino County Tungsten District (Partridge, 1941, p. 305; Tucker and Sampson, 1940, p. 291). 1943 Argosy Tungsten Mine. It comprises 3 claims situated in the New York Mountains, in T. 11 N., R. 17 E., S. B., 6 miles north of Goffs, a station on the Santa Fe Railroad; elevation 6,500 ft. (Tucker and Sampson, 1943, p. 449). 1953 Section 34?, T.11N, R. 18E. SBM. North of Goffs (Wright and others, 1953, Tungsten Table, Map 372, p. 122). OWNERSHIP 1918 C.B.Jacobs, Goffs, San Bernardino County, California (Boalich and Castello, 1918, Tungsten Deposit Table, p. 13). 1919 Owners. E. Fuller and C. B. Jacobs, Goffs, California (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 844-845) 1941 Mrs. Remalia, Los Angeles, California (Partridge, 1941, p. 305). 1943 Owner, Mrs. V. R. Remalia, Los Angeles, California (Tucker and Sampson, 1943, p. 449). 1953 Mrs. M.E.. Remalia, 1912 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, California (Wright and others, 1953, Tungsten Table, Map 372, p. 122). DEVELOPMENT 1919 Development consists of a 140- foot drift along the dike and a 3-foot raise which connects the face of the drift with the surface. Water for working purposes is hauled by motor truck from Goffs. Idle at the time visited, it a bond had been given on the property and it is expected that aerations will be resumed on the completion of the Louisiana California Mining Company's mill, 2 miles north of the mine (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 844-845). 1941 Partridge (1941, p. 305) said this of the Eastern San Bernardino County Tungsten District: This district comprises the New York Mountain, Clark Mountain, and Signal districts. It is accessible by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe and the Union Pacific railroads as well as by good roads. Goffs is the nearest town to the Signal district, and Ivanpah is just to the north of the New York and Clark Mountain districts. The region is a desert with high ranges rising from the floor. Vegetation is sparse. Water is scarce and must be hauled from wells. In summer the temperature frequently reaches 120” F., and seldom falls below 100’ F. The winters are cold and strong winds sweep the desert from the west and southeast (Partridge, 1941, p. 305). During the World War there was considerable activity in this area, and several tungsten deposits were opened. A small production was made, but no large mines were developed. The lack of water hindered mining and milling operations. This district cannot be considered a good one, will ever be an prospecting-area, and it is extremely unlikely that it important tungsten-producing region (Partridge, 1941, p. 305). Argosy Mine: A small production was reported in 1916.The property is now idle (Partridge, 1941, p. 305). No mill was ever erected, and the ore was treated at the plant of the Louisiana-California Mining Company. The deposit was developed by an adit 140 feet long, driven on the dike, and a 38-foot raise to the surface at the face of the adit (Partridge, 1941, p. 306). 1943 Development consists of tunnel 140 feet long along the dike and a 38-foot raise to the surface; also shallow open cuts along dike. There was a small production in 1916-1917 (Tucker and Sampson, 1943, p. 449). MINE GEOLOGY 1919 The ore is deposited in finely disseminated crystals of hubnerite and wolframite in system of veinlets in a pegmatitic dike. These veinlets, varying from 1" to 6" in width, strike with the general trend of the dike, east and west, and dip about 45° N. The ore is said to average 2% [tungsten] (Cloudman and others, 1919, p. 844-845). 1930 The ore consists of fine crystals of wolframite, disseminated in a system of veinlets in a pegmatite dike (Tucker and Sampson, 1930, p. 291). 1941 The ore is hubnerite and wolframite, finely disseminated in a system of veinlets in a pegmatite dike. The veinlets vary in width from 4 inches to 6 inches, strike (with the general trend of the dike) east and dip about 45o north. The ore is reported to average 2 percent WO3 (Partridge, 1941, p. 305). 1943 The ore, hubnerite and wolframite, is finely disseminated in a system of veinlets in a pegmatite dike. The veinlets vary in width from 4 to 6 inches; strike with general eastward trend of the dike, dip 45o, N. Ore is reported to average 0.5 to 2 percent WO3 (Tucker and Sampson, 1943, p. 449). 1953 Small veinlets of hubernight and wolframite in pegmatite dike. Adit driven 140 feet into dike, 38-foot raise to surface. Produced 1916-1917 (Wright and others, 1953, Tungsten Table, Map 372, p. 122). 1960 Tishler and others (1960a) mapped the area of the Old Glory Mine as Quaternary Alluvium (Qal). 2007 Miller and others (2007) mapped the area of the Old Glory Mine as Quaternary fanglomerate (Qaf)
LOCATION 11N 18E Sec. 09 SBM 35.04811999980 -115.04642 (MRDS, 2011) 1990 T.11N, R.18E, Section 9, SBM (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No 594, p. 196). OWNERSHIP 1990 Unknown (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No 594, p. 196). DEVELOPMENT 1990 Numerous shafts (about 28) and pits (about 40) have been excavated in an area of about 2 square miles. The deepest shafts are about 5O to 60 feet deep. No production records were found, but a reported 20 pounds of tungsten was shipped in the 1920’s (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No 594, p. 196). MINE GEOLOGY 1960 Tishler and others (1960a) mapped the area of the area of the Lord and Irish mine as Cretaceous Quartz Monzonite (Kqm) which envelope older masses of PreCambrian granite gneiss (p€gr). 1990 Quartz monzonite occurs with numerous northwesterly trending, northeasterly dipping quartz veins. The quartz veins appear to follow shear zones (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No 594, p. 196). Thirty-four samples (CAL 20·29, 32·SO, S8· S9, 62·63, 86·87, 90) were taken in the Tungsten Flat area. No resource calculations were done. Samples contained as high as 13,700 and 2,290 ppb gold, 2,130 ppm silver, 12,000 and S,190 ppm tungsten, 6,400 ppm zinc, 0.9% and 0.7% copper, and 720 ppm lead (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, Table 2, Map No 594, p. 196). 2007 Miller and others (2007) mapped the rocks at the Lord and Irish mine as Cretaceous Porphyritic granodiorite (Kpg).
LOCATION 12N 17E Sec. 35 SBM 35.0766899999 -115.12554 (MRDS, 2011, Southeast, Scando Mine) 12N 17E Sec. 34 SBM 35.0842199999 -115.13892 (MRDS, 2011, Northwest, Scando Prospect) Note: The location of the Scando Southeast mine is at the location of the Northwest American Flag Mine. The MRDS locations for these two deposits do not agree with the location description of Wright and others (1953 which indicate that the mine is in Section 26). 1953 Section 26?, T.12N, R. 17E, SBM, North of Goffs (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 179, p. 57). 1961, 1987 Scando (Hercules) Mine, *Sec. 26(?), T.12N., R.17E., SBBM, San Bernardino Co. (Southern Pacific, 1964; Oesterling and Spurck, 1964, p. 128). 1990 T.12N, R.17E, Section 34, SBM. (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Map No. 589, p. 195). OWNERSHIP 1953 Robert E. Cram, Box 21, Searchlight, Nevada (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 179, p. 57). DEVELOPMENT 1953 Developed by 2 shallow inclined shafts 10 feet apart. Idle (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 179, p. 57). 1964, 1987 Two inclines. (Southern Pacific, 1964; Oesterling and Spurck, 1964, p. 128). 1990 One inclined shaft of unknown depth (about 100 ft) and one pit (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Map No. 589, p. 195). GEOLOGY OF THE VONTRIGGER HILLS The geology of the Vontrigger Hills was described by Ted Theodore (1996, p. 121): Bedrock of the Vontrigger Hills is mostly Early Proterozoic granitoid rocks (unit Xg1, pl. 1), dated between 1,660 and 1,695 Ma, and migmatite (Xm). Small areas of Miocene volcanic rocks (Tv1) and Cretaceous granitoid rocks (Kpg) are found mainly in the western part of the area. Stream-sediment samples from the Vontrigger Hills do not contain anomalous concentrations of any elements. However, concentrate samples have anomalous concentrations of Ag and Ba, and rock samples have anomalous concentrations of Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Bi, Mo, Be, B, and Nb. The area is geochemically moderately anomalous overall. Possible deposit types include porphyry copper-molybdenum, polymetallic veins and replacement bodies, and REE-Nb-bearing pegmatites (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). Six mineral occurrences in the Vontrigger Hills include three polymetallic veins, two low-sulfide gold-quartz veins, and one polymetallic fault (pl. 2). All occurrences are far removed from the Cretaceous granitoid that crops out near the southwest end of the Vontrigger Hills (pl. 1), and all the occurrences are hosted by Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. Mineralization is extremely widespread at some localities (pl. 2), such as in the general area of the Rattlesnake Mine (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, map no. 592, pl. 1), where numerous prospect pits, shafts, and a partially reclaimed open cut approximately 100 m wide follow favorable indications of gold mineralization of various attitudes and types in an area of about 3 km2. Much of the gold mineralization initially exploited at the Rattlesnake Mine, classified as polymetallic vein, is along a 10-m-wide zone of intensely silicified and highly fractured, foliated Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. This mineralized zone has a strike of about N. 70° W. and is present at the north edge of a porphyritic monzogranite of undetermined size (not shown on pl. 1). Numerous unmineralized porphyritic granite dikes containing K-feldspar phenocrysts cut the Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). MINE GEOLOGY 1953 Quartz vein i n Archean gneiss near contact with Miocene volcanic rocks (Wright and others, 1953, Gold Table, Map No. 179, p. 57). 1956 Hewett’s map (1956) has the southeastern Scando Mine in (Tfs) and the northwest Scando prospect in (€g). 1960 Tishler and others (1960a) mapped the area of the Scando mine as Pre-Cambrian Granite – gneiss (p€gr). The Southeastern prospect is also in Pre-Cambrian Granite, but near Tertiary basalt flows and intrusives. Tishler and others (1960b) said this of the Vontrigger Hills gneissic granite: …cropping out in the Vontrigger Hills as well as the Tungsten Flat Signal Hill area is gneissic granite. This granite, which ranges in color from light bluish gray (5 B 7/1) to medium bluish gray (5 B 5/1), is composed largely of coarse orthoclase crystals (1/4" long) in a sheared and rolled quartz and biotite matrix. In the Vontrigger Hills the granite gneiss is intruded by quartz monzonite porphyry dikes and crushed granite porphyry dikes which are composed of rounded orthoclase, biotite,and sericite (Tishler and others, 1960b, p. 12) 1990 A chloritized and hydrothermally altered quartz vein (strike N. 65° E., and dip 50° NW) is in metamorphosed granitic rocks. (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Map No. 589, p. 195). One sample CAL·9) from dump with quartz vein material had minor galena and pyrite as discrete clots or grains. Malachite and iron oxide staining. Sample contained 19,300 ppb gold, 72 ppm silver, and 2,200 ppm lead (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Map No. 589, p. 195). 2007 Miller and others (2007) mapped the rocks at the Scando mine as Younger Proterozoic granitoids (Xg1)
There are 91 mineral occurrences in the Bristol and Old Dad Mountains listed in the U.S. Geological Survey MRDS database (2011). Commodities at these 91 occurrences include Barite-Barium (5). Bentonite (1), Calcium, Gypsum-Anhydrite (1), Chromium, Molybdenum (1), Clay (1), Copper (19), Dolomite-Magnesite (3), Garnet (1), Gold (15). Iron (7), Lead (1), Limestone (3), Manganese (2), Onyx (1), Perlite (22), Pumice (3), Sand and Gravel (2), Uranium (1), and Zinc (1). Mine maps, a geologic mosaic, stratigraphic compilation and tables with mine location and commodity data for a study area that include these occurrences is found at https://www.academia.edu/33120050/Geology_and_Mineral_Occurrences_of_the_Bristol_and_Old_Dad_Mountains_San_Bernardino_County_California This paper provides descriptions of 26 mines in the study area that are listed as past producers or are of special interest due to their mineralogical or historical uniqueness.
12N 17E Sec. 35 SBM 35.07252 -115.11999 (MRDS, 2011, southeast) 12N 17E Sec. 35 SBM 35.07672 -115.12552 (MRDS, 2011, northwest, Scando Gold Mine) 1953 North of Goffs. Also, a copper mine. Northeastern extension of the Von Trigger group; 11 claims patented 1913 (Wright and others, 1953, p. 23). There are no mineral surveys in the area of the American Flag mine as shown in MRDS records. Mineral Survey 4876 is in the NE corner of Section 35, T.12N, R.17E and SW corner of Section 6, T.12N, R.28E. 1990 T12N R17E, Section 35 (U. S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Table 2, p. 196). OWNERSHIP 1953 Estates of W.G. McGoush and J.F. Goodwin c/o J. F. Goodwin Co . , Guy F. Goodwin, 6363 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California (Wright and others, 1953. Map No. 63, p. 23) 1990 Unknown (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Table 2, p. 196). DEVELOPMENT Two inclined shafts of unknown depth but are at least 100 ft long. Production unknown. (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Table 2, p. 196). One sample (CAL-8) from dump. Quartz vein with minor sulfides; malachite and azurite; minor iron oxide staining and red chalcedony. Sample contained 4,120 ppb gold (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990, Table 2, p. 196). GEOLOGY OF THE VONTRIGGER HILLS The geology of the Vontrigger Hills was described by Ted Theodore (1996, p. 121): Bedrock of the Vontrigger Hills is mostly Early Proterozoic granitoid rocks (unit Xg1, pl. 1), dated between 1,660 and 1,695 Ma, and migmatite (Xm). Small areas of Miocene volcanic rocks (Tv1) and Cretaceous granitoid rocks (Kpg) are found mainly in the western part of the area. Stream-sediment samples from the Vontrigger Hills do not contain anomalous concentrations of any elements. However, concentrate samples have anomalous concentrations of Ag and Ba, and rock samples have anomalous concentrations of Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Bi, Mo, Be, B, and Nb. The area is geochemically moderately anomalous overall. Possible deposit types include porphyry copper-molybdenum, polymetallic veins and replacement bodies, and REE-Nb-bearing pegmatites (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). Six mineral occurrences in the Vontrigger Hills include three polymetallic veins, two low-sulfide gold-quartz veins, and one polymetallic fault (pl. 2). All occurrences are far removed from the Cretaceous granitoid that crops out near the southwest end of the Vontrigger Hills (pl. 1), and all the occurrences are hosted by Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. Mineralization is extremely widespread at some localities (pl. 2), such as in the general area of the Rattlesnake Mine (U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1990a, map no. 592, pl. 1), where numerous prospect pits, shafts, and a partially reclaimed open cut approximately 100 m wide follow favorable indications of gold mineralization of various attitudes and types in an area of about 3 km2. Much of the gold mineralization initially exploited at the Rattlesnake Mine, classified as polymetallic vein, is along a 10-m-wide zone of intensely silicified and highly fractured, foliated Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks. This mineralized zone has a strike of about N. 70° W. and is present at the north edge of a porphyritic monzogranite of undetermined size (not shown on pl. 1). Numerous unmineralized porphyritic granite dikes containing K-feldspar phenocrysts cut the Early Proterozoic younger granitoid rocks (Theodore, 1996, p. 121). MINE GEOLOGY Tishler and others (1960) mapped the area of the American Flag mine as Pre-Cambrian Granite – gneiss (p€gr). Tishler and others (1960b) said this of the Vontrigger Hills gneissic granite: …cropping out in the Vontrigger Hills as well as the Tungsten Flat Signal Hill area is gneissic granite. This granite, which ranges in color from light bluish gray (5 B 7/1) to medium bluish gray (5 B 5/1), is composed largely of coarse orthoclase crystals (1/4" long) in a sheared and rolled quartz and biotite matrix. In the Vontrigger Hills the granite gneiss is intruded by quartz monzonite porphyry dikes and crushed granite porphyry dikes which are composed of rounded orthoclase, biotite,and sericite (Tishler and others, 1960b, p. 12) Miller and others (2007) mapped the rocks at the American Flag mine as Younger Proterozoic granitoids (Xg1)
Against the current The Mojave River from sink, Desert Symposium Field Guide and Proceedings April, 2018
Old Mojave Road and surrounding areas, San Bernardino County, California and Clark County, Nevada: Geologic field guide2018 •
Gregg Wilkerson