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Silver Reef Mining District, Washington County, Utah, USAi
Regional Level Types
Silver Reef Mining DistrictMining District
Washington CountyCounty
UtahState
USACountry

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PhotosMapsSearch
Deposit first discovered:
1869
Mindat Locality ID:
37499
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:37499:9
GUID (UUID V4):
c2a5a48e-cfd8-47b5-9b78-9510970d8048
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Harrisburg Mining District; Leeds Mining District


The Silver Reef (Harrisburg, Leeds) mining district is in Washington County, about 15 mi northeast of St. George. Silver Reef was a large Ag-Cu producer from about 1875 until the collapse of the Ag price in 1893 and had continuing intermittent production until about 1980. In the 1950s, the district also produced a minor amount of U-V ore. Total district metal production at modern metal prices is estimated at $141 million. The largest Ag-Cu mines were the Leed-AS&R, Tecumseh-Harman, and California-Savage.
The district lies within the transition zone from the Basin and Range Province on the west to the Colorado Plateau on the east. Silver Reef is localized on the northeast-plunging nose of the large, Sevier-age, Virgin anticline. The Virgin anticline is an open, upright, symmetrical fold having a gentle plunge of about 10°–15° NE. The ore is primarily hosted in the Lower Jurassic Springdale Sandstone Member of the Moenave Formation. This sandstone is a thick-bedded, fine-grained, fluvial sandstone containing thin lenses of intraformational conglomerate with mudstone and siltstone rip-up clasts and poorly preserved carbonized plant remains (Biek and Rohrer, 2006).
The district has four major “reefs” or sandstone hogbacks; from west to east these are White, Buckeye, Butte, and East Reef. Buckeye Reef has been the most important, having yielded about 70% of the Ag produced. The average recovered grades from the district are approximately 577 ppm Ag and 1.3% Cu, but typical head grades are over 685 ppm Ag. The principal ore minerals are argentite, chalcocite, chlorargyrite, bornite, and native silver. The district is unique for the Ag-dominant character of its redbed-hosted Cu deposits (USGS Model 30b) with Ag accounting for very roughly 75% of the district’s production value. The district also has subordinate sandstone U-V production (USGS Model 30c). The best Cu-Ag mineralization is associated with the structurally complex, northwestern corner of the plunging anticlinal nose where the best host Springdale Sandstone is repeated three times by thrust faults. Individual orebodies are tabular, stratiform, stratabound, and average about 300 ft long, 100 ft wide, and less than 8 ft thick. The Ag-Cu ores are typically associated with carbon trash zones or thin, soft, shaly conglomerate interbeds (James and Newman, 1986). The most recognizable alteration is the bleaching of the host Springdale Sandstone resulting from the passage of reducing fluids, as evidenced by the gray-green rinds on the pink clay galls in the bleached sandstone. In addition to Ag-Cu, the ore is reportedly anomalous in As, Cl, Mo, Se, U, V, and Zn.


The mining district is unique; it is the only major mining district in the United States that produced silver ore from sandstone. From 1875 to 1972, the Silver Reef district produced 7.52 million ounces of silver, 665 ounces of gold, and 10.7 million pounds of copper. The 665 ounces of gold reported by Stowe is likely in error because district boundaries were not specific and gold production from other districts was added to the total. The district also produced 8400 pounds of uranium oxide from 1950 to 1957. Average grade of the silver ore hoisted was 20 to 50 ounces per ton.

John Kemple is credited for the discovery of silver ore at Silver Reef in 1866. His assayed ore samples were found to be rich in silver. Many did not believe the assay numbers because silver ore had never before been found in sandstone. Kemple did not trust his own assay results and set off for other mining camps in the West. He returned to Silver Reef for additional prospecting and in 1871 helped organize the Union mining district with L.D.S. church leaders and family heads from Harrisburg. All claims were later abandoned due to L.D.S. church concerns about the lawless aspect associated with mining and worries that farmers would leave their farms and orchards to become miners. Kemple again returned to Silver Reef and reorganized the district as the Harrisburg mining district in 1874. However, development of the district is credited to William Tecumseh Barbee after his 1875 silver ore discovery on Tecumseh Hill along a wagon road between Quail Creek and Leeds. A wheel from a wagon hauling wood to Leeds dislodged a piece of ore-bearing sandstone. The ore from this outcrop averaged 300 to 400 ounces of silver per ton. Barbee then promoted the district through glowing newspaper articles in Salt Lake City and Pioche, Nevada. Within the next two years, the new town of Silver Reef had reached a population of 1500. The town had all of the modern amenities, such as a post office, churches, schools, a bank, and a hospital. Most of the silver was produced during a five-year period between 1878 and 1882. Production began to decline in 1880, and by 1888 all of the major company-operated mines had closed. The rich, near-surface ores were mined out, ore grade decreased with depth, mining became more expensive, and ground water occupied the lower mine workings; all of these factors led to the closure of the district. Decline can also be attributed to the low price of silver on the international market. In 1877, silver was $1.20 per ounce and when mining ended in 1888, it was just $0.94. By 1903, Silver Reef was deserted.

The Silver Reef district received renewed interest in the 1950s for its uranium potential. In 1950, Western Gold and Uranium Corporation shipped at least 2500 pounds of uranium oxide. In 1979, 5M Corporation acquired the claims from the Western Gold and Uranium Corporation to process old mine tailings. This venture was short lived due to a decrease in silver prices. All that remains of the former town is a few old foundations and the Wells Fargo Building that is now a museum that documents the history of the mining district.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.


Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

27 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

Acanthite
Formula: Ag2S
Aguilarite
Formula: Ag4SeS
Autunite
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Azurite
Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
Carnotite
Formula: K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Localities: Reported from at least 10 localities in this region.
Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
Localities: Reported from at least 10 localities in this region.
Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
'Charcoal'
Formula: C
Description: in silver-bearing sandstone
Chlorargyrite
Formula: AgCl
Localities: Reported from at least 25 localities in this region.
Chlorargyrite var. Bromian Chlorargyrite
Formula: Ag(Cl,Br)
Copper
Formula: Cu
Cuprite
Formula: Cu2O
Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
'Jasper'
Kaolinite
Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
'Limonite'
Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Localities: Reported from at least 31 localities in this region.
Montmorillonite
Formula: (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
Montroseite
Formula: (V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
Localities: Reported from at least 6 localities in this region.
Quartz
Formula: SiO2
Roscoelite
Formula: K(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Silver
Formula: Ag
Tenorite
Formula: CuO
Torbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Vanadinite
Formula: Pb5(VO4)3Cl
Volborthite
Formula: Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
Silver1.AA.05Ag
Copper1.AA.05Cu
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
Chalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
Bornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
Acanthite2.BA.35Ag2S
Aguilarite2.BA.55Ag4SeS
Chalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
Pyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 3 - Halides
Chlorargyrite
var. Bromian Chlorargyrite
3.AA.15Ag(Cl,Br)
3.AA.15AgCl
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
Cuprite4.AA.10Cu2O
Tenorite4.AB.10CuO
Hematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
Quartz4.DA.05SiO2
Montroseite4.FD.10(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
Carnotite4.HB.05K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
Calcite5.AB.05CaCO3
Azurite5.BA.05Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Malachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
Gypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
Vanadinite8.BN.05Pb5(VO4)3Cl
Autunite8.EB.05Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Torbernite8.EB.05Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Volborthite8.FD.05Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
Muscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Roscoelite9.EC.15K(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Montmorillonite9.EC.40(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
Kaolinite9.ED.05Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Unclassified
'Jasper'-
'Limonite'-
'Charcoal'-C

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
H AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
H AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
H CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
H GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
H KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
H MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
H Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
H MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
H Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
H RoscoeliteK(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
H TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
H VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
CCarbon
C AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
C CalciteCaCO3
C MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
C CharcoalC
OOxygen
O AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
O AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
O CalciteCaCO3
O CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
O CupriteCu2O
O GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
O HematiteFe2O3
O KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
O MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
O Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
O MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
O Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
O QuartzSiO2
O RoscoeliteK(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
O TenoriteCuO
O TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
O VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
O VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
NaSodium
Na Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
MgMagnesium
Mg Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
AlAluminium
Al KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Al MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Al Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
Al RoscoeliteK(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SiSilicon
Si KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Si MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Si Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
Si QuartzSiO2
Si RoscoeliteK(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
PPhosphorus
P AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
P TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
SSulfur
S AcanthiteAg2S
S AguilariteAg4SeS
S BorniteCu5FeS4
S ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
S ChalcociteCu2S
S GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
S PyriteFeS2
ClChlorine
Cl ChlorargyriteAgCl
Cl Chlorargyrite var. Bromian ChlorargyriteAg(Cl,Br)
Cl VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
KPotassium
K CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
K MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
K RoscoeliteK(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Ca AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Ca CalciteCaCO3
Ca GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Ca Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
VVanadium
V CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
V Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
V RoscoeliteK(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
V VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
V VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
FeIron
Fe BorniteCu5FeS4
Fe ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Fe HematiteFe2O3
Fe Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
Fe PyriteFeS2
CuCopper
Cu AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Cu BorniteCu5FeS4
Cu ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cu ChalcociteCu2S
Cu CupriteCu2O
Cu CopperCu
Cu MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cu TenoriteCuO
Cu TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Cu VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
SeSelenium
Se AguilariteAg4SeS
BrBromine
Br Chlorargyrite var. Bromian ChlorargyriteAg(Cl,Br)
AgSilver
Ag AcanthiteAg2S
Ag AguilariteAg4SeS
Ag ChlorargyriteAgCl
Ag Chlorargyrite var. Bromian ChlorargyriteAg(Cl,Br)
Ag SilverAg
PbLead
Pb VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
UUranium
U AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
U CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
U TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O

Fossils

There are 1 fossil localities from the PaleoBioDB database within this region.

BETA TEST - These data are provided on an experimental basis and are taken from external databases. Mindat.org has no control currently over the accuracy of these data.

Occurrences1
Youngest Fossil Listed242 Ma (Middle Triassic)
Oldest Fossil Listed247 Ma (Early/Lower Triassic)
Stratigraphic Units
UnitNo. OccurrencesAge
Moenkopi - upper red1247.2 - 242 Ma (Triassic)
Fossils from RegionClick here to show the list.
Accepted NameHierarchy Age
Rotodactylus cursorius
species
Animalia : Chordata : Reptilia : Rotodactylidae : Rotodactylus : Rotodactylus cursorius247.2 - 242 Ma
Triassic
Fossil LocalitiesClick to show 1 fossil locality

Localities in this Region

Other Regions, Features and Areas that Intersect


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

 
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