Cactus Gold Mine (Blue Eagle Mine; Middle Buttes Mine; Cactus Mine; Cactus Queen Mine; Shumake deposit; Shumake Mine), Middle Buttes deposit (Cactus deposit), Middle Butte, Rosamond, Mojave-Rosamond Mining District (Mojave Mining District), Kern County, California, USAi
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
34° 57' 28'' North , 118° 17' 12'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
Place | Population | Distance |
---|---|---|
Mojave | 4,238 (2011) | 14.7km |
Rosamond | 18,150 (2011) | 15.3km |
Tehachapi | 13,021 (2017) | 24.4km |
Golden Hills | 8,656 (2011) | 27.7km |
Lancaster | 161,103 (2017) | 31.9km |
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 |
---|---|---|
Tehachapi Valley Gem & Mineral Society | Tehachapi, California | 24km |
Antelope Valley Gem and Mineral Club | Lancaster, California | 32km |
Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club | Palmdale, California | 45km |
Mindat Locality ID:
79878
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:79878:2
GUID (UUID V4):
2dbb4f50-78dc-4503-a4f1-6d9881d02528
A former Au-Ag-Cu-Pb mine and plant located in the SW¼ & NW¼ sec. 17, T10N, R13W, SBM, on a SW knob of Middle Butte, on private land (located claim). MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 100 meters.
There has been a series of owners and operators: Owner: Summo Minerals Corp. (100%), Colorado (1997- ); owner: Hecla Mining Company (75%), California (-1997); owner: Dakota Mining Corp. (25%, Colorado (-1997); operator: Cactus Gold Mines Inc. (Owned (85%) By Hecla), California (1996); owner: Compass Mining Inc. (25%) (1990); owner-operator: Coca Mines Inc. (74%), Colorado (1990); owner: W. J. Carey (1%), California (1990); owner-operator: Cactus Gold Mines Company (100%), California (1990). As of 1994: Hecla had a 064% interest in Cactus Gold Mines Co. Cactus Gold Mines is owned by Middle Buttes Partners Limited (MBPL), & 25% by Compass Mining, Inc. MBPL is a limited partnership in which the company (MBPL) is the sole general partner (53%) & a limited partner (11%). As of January 1997, Hecla and Dakota signed agreements to sell their interest in the mine to Summo.
Local rocks include Tertiary intrusive rocks (hypabyssal), unit 7 (Northern Mojave Desert).
Workings include surface and underground openings. A leach plant operates on the property (ended circa 1995).
Production statistics:
Year: 1989 - 2,106,800 metric tons of ore treated; heap leach Au production was 59,493 ounces Au/year.
Year: 1991 - Ag production was 217,014 Troy ounces/year; Au production was 53,912 Troy ounces/year from 2,129,724 metric tons of ore.
Year: 1992 - Ag production was 138,394 Troy ounces/year; Au production was 36,283 Troy ounces/year from 318,414 metric tons of ore.
Year: 1993 - Ag production was 32,220 Troy ounces/year; Au production was 9,755 Troy ounces/year (no ore produced this year - depleted).
Year: 1994 - Ag production was 26,074 Troy ounces/year; Au production was 10,147 Troy ounces/year.
Year: 1995 - Ag production was 2,324 Troy ounces/year; Au production was 5,295 Troy ounces/year.
Mining stopped in 1992. Heap leach Au/Ag recovery was expected to continue through 1995 and end sometime in 1996.
Reserve-Resource data are found in Hecla Mining Company (1995), Form 10-K Report: 27.
The most recent reserve data were: Type: in-situ (estimated year = 1996): demonstrated reserves: 212,408 metric tons ore; total resources: 212,408 metric tons ore. Au at 1.37 grams/metric ton.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.Mineral List
25 valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
ⓘ Acanthite Formula: Ag2S |
ⓘ Alunite Formula: KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 References: |
ⓘ Argentojarosite Formula: AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 Description: Locally abundant in the oxidized zone. References: |
ⓘ Arsenopyrite Formula: FeAsS |
ⓘ Chalcocite Formula: Cu2S |
ⓘ Chalcopyrite Formula: CuFeS2 References: |
ⓘ Chlorargyrite Formula: AgCl References: |
ⓘ Chrysocolla Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
ⓘ Corderoite Formula: Hg2+3S2Cl2 |
ⓘ Covellite Formula: CuS References: |
ⓘ Galena Formula: PbS |
ⓘ Gold Formula: Au Description: Fine. References: |
ⓘ Gold var. Electrum Formula: (Au,Ag) References: |
ⓘ Hematite Formula: Fe2O3 |
ⓘ Jarosite Formula: KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 Description: Abundant in some oxidized veins. References: |
ⓘ Kaolinite Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 Description: Occurs in substantial amounts in the ore vein. References: |
ⓘ 'K Feldspar' |
ⓘ 'K Feldspar var. Adularia' Formula: KAlSi3O8 |
ⓘ Marcasite Formula: FeS2 References: |
ⓘ Muscovite Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite Formula: K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
ⓘ Plumbojarosite Formula: Pb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 Description: Occurs in oxidized zones of veins. References: |
ⓘ Proustite Formula: Ag3AsS3 Description: Principal ore mineral. References: |
ⓘ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 |
ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
ⓘ Scorodite Formula: Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
ⓘ Silver Formula: Ag Description: A little occurs in ores. References: |
ⓘ Sphalerite Formula: ZnS References: |
ⓘ Stromeyerite Formula: AgCuS References: |
ⓘ 'Tennantite Subgroup' Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
ⓘ 'Tetrahedrite Subgroup' Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S |
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
Group 1 - Elements | |||
---|---|---|---|
ⓘ | Gold | 1.AA.05 | Au |
ⓘ | Silver | 1.AA.05 | Ag |
ⓘ | Gold var. Electrum | 1.AA.05 | (Au,Ag) |
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
ⓘ | Chalcocite | 2.BA.05 | Cu2S |
ⓘ | Acanthite | 2.BA.35 | Ag2S |
ⓘ | Stromeyerite | 2.BA.40 | AgCuS |
ⓘ | Covellite | 2.CA.05a | CuS |
ⓘ | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
ⓘ | Chalcopyrite | 2.CB.10a | CuFeS2 |
ⓘ | Galena | 2.CD.10 | PbS |
ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
ⓘ | Marcasite | 2.EB.10a | FeS2 |
ⓘ | Arsenopyrite | 2.EB.20 | FeAsS |
ⓘ | Corderoite | 2.FC.15a | Hg2+3S2Cl2 |
ⓘ | Proustite | 2.GA.05 | Ag3AsS3 |
ⓘ | 'Tetrahedrite Subgroup' | 2.GB.05 | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S |
ⓘ | 'Tennantite Subgroup' | 2.GB.05 | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
Group 3 - Halides | |||
ⓘ | Chlorargyrite | 3.AA.15 | AgCl |
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
ⓘ | Hematite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2O3 |
ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
ⓘ | Jarosite | 7.BC.10 | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
ⓘ | Argentojarosite | 7.BC.10 | AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
ⓘ | Alunite | 7.BC.10 | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
ⓘ | Plumbojarosite | 7.BC.10 | Pb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
ⓘ | Scorodite | 8.CD.10 | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
Group 9 - Silicates | |||
ⓘ | Muscovite var. Illite | 9.EC.15 | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
ⓘ | 9.EC.15 | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | |
ⓘ | Kaolinite | 9.ED.05 | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
ⓘ | Chrysocolla | 9.ED.20 | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Unclassified | |||
ⓘ | 'K Feldspar var. Adularia' | - | KAlSi3O8 |
ⓘ | '' | - |
List of minerals for each chemical element
H | Hydrogen | |
---|---|---|
H | ⓘ Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
H | ⓘ Argentojarosite | AgFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
H | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
H | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
H | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
H | ⓘ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
H | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
H | ⓘ Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
H | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
O | Oxygen | |
O | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
O | ⓘ Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
O | ⓘ Argentojarosite | AgFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
O | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
O | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
O | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
O | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
O | ⓘ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
O | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
O | ⓘ Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
O | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
Al | Aluminium | |
Al | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
Al | ⓘ Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Al | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Al | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
Al | ⓘ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
Al | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Si | Silicon | |
Si | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
Si | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Si | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
Si | ⓘ Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
Si | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
S | Sulfur | |
S | ⓘ Acanthite | Ag2S |
S | ⓘ Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
S | ⓘ Argentojarosite | AgFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
S | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
S | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
S | ⓘ Chalcocite | Cu2S |
S | ⓘ Corderoite | Hg32+S2Cl2 |
S | ⓘ Covellite | CuS |
S | ⓘ Galena | PbS |
S | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
S | ⓘ Marcasite | FeS2 |
S | ⓘ Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
S | ⓘ Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
S | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
S | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
S | ⓘ Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
S | ⓘ Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S |
S | ⓘ Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S |
Cl | Chlorine | |
Cl | ⓘ Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
Cl | ⓘ Corderoite | Hg32+S2Cl2 |
K | Potassium | |
K | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
K | ⓘ Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
K | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
K | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
K | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Fe | Iron | |
Fe | ⓘ Argentojarosite | AgFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Fe | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
Fe | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Fe | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
Fe | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Fe | ⓘ Marcasite | FeS2 |
Fe | ⓘ Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Fe | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
Fe | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
Cu | Copper | |
Cu | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Cu | ⓘ Chalcocite | Cu2S |
Cu | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Cu | ⓘ Covellite | CuS |
Cu | ⓘ Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
Cu | ⓘ Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S |
Cu | ⓘ Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S |
Zn | Zinc | |
Zn | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
As | Arsenic | |
As | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
As | ⓘ Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
As | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
As | ⓘ Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S |
Ag | Silver | |
Ag | ⓘ Acanthite | Ag2S |
Ag | ⓘ Argentojarosite | AgFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Ag | ⓘ Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
Ag | ⓘ Gold var. Electrum | (Au,Ag) |
Ag | ⓘ Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
Ag | ⓘ Silver | Ag |
Ag | ⓘ Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
Sb | Antimony | |
Sb | ⓘ Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S |
Au | Gold | |
Au | ⓘ Gold var. Electrum | (Au,Ag) |
Au | ⓘ Gold | Au |
Hg | Mercury | |
Hg | ⓘ Corderoite | Hg32+S2Cl2 |
Pb | Lead | |
Pb | ⓘ Galena | PbS |
Pb | ⓘ Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- Basin and Range BasinsBasin
- Mojave DomainDomain
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References
(n.d.) Minerals Availability System (MAS), U.S. Bureau of Mines.file #0060290144
Troxel, Bennie W., Morton, Paul K. (1962) Mines and Mineral Resources of Kern County California. County Report 1. California Division of Mines and Geologypages 104, 109, 126