Butte
Elk Mountain Mining District (Snowmass Mountain Mining District) Mining District
Gunnison County County
Colorado State
USA Country

Regional Level Types
Mt. Emmons/Crested Butte (Chautauqua; Daisey; Daisey Mine; Mt. Emmons; Crested Butte)	Table/Butte
Elk Mountain Mining District (Snowmass Mountain Mining District)	Mining District
Gunnison County	County
Colorado	State
USA	Country

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

38° 52' 8'' North , 107° 2' 18'' West

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

G#: 9wgvh7bge

Type:

Köppen climate type:

Dfc : Subarctic climate

Nearest Settlements:

Place	Population	Distance
Crested Butte	1,579 (2017)	4.4km
Mount Crested Butte	801 (2012)	7.9km
Marble	135 (2017)	26.1km
Gunnison	6,076 (2018)	37.2km
Redstone	130 (2011)	38.8km

Mindat Locality ID:

113993

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:113993:1

GUID (UUID V4):

bf195e3d-9b50-4740-bbb2-0888069e01ec

A former porphyry Mo-Zn-Ag-Au-Cu-Pb occurrence/mine located in the NE¼SE¼NE¼ sec. 6, T14S, R86W, 6thPM. MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 10 meters.

The Mt. Emmons ore deposit is an example of the Climax-type porphyry molybdenum deposit. The geology of this type of ore deposit is described by Ludington and Plumlee (2009). They note that Climax-type molybdenum deposits are quite rare and give only 13 examples. Of these, the Climax ore deposit is far and away the largest. The Mt. Emmons deposit, is approximately 20% it's size.

In cross section the Mt. Emmons deposit has the classic Climax-type mushroom-like configuration (Mineral occurrence model information: Model code: 50; USGS model code: 16; Deposit model name: Climax Mo). Beneath Mt. Emmons a small, abrupt plug-like stock represents the mushroom stem while the ore deposit is like the cap, a draping dome over the intrusion's top. The ore body is blind, more than 900 feet below the surface, but a significant area of phyllic alteration is present on the surface.

The ore deposit has not been developed beyond exploratory work. As of early 2017 there may be a move by the owner to abandon the project, liquidate the property and repatriate the claims to the government given that the molybdenum market has been soft for many years and will be characterized by over capacity from lower cost sources for the foreseeable future.

Local rocks include rocks of the Mesaverde Formation, undivided.

NOTE: The MSHA list of 1-17-80 shows 2 ID numbers: 0503142 is shown as a past producer (Moly), and 91 employees; and, 0500409 is shown as active (Moly) with 70 employees.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

ⓘ Molybdenum

Mineral List

20 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Actinolite

Formula: ◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

References:

Dowsett, F. R., Jr., M. W. Ganster, D. E. Ranta, D. J. Baker, and H. J. Stein, (1981) Geology of the Mount Emmons molybdenum deposit, Crested Butte, Colorado. in 32nd Field Conference New Mexico Geological Society, pp. 325-332.

ⓘ Anglesite

Formula: PbSO₄

References:

Eckel, Edwin Butt , Cobban, Robert R., Mosburg, Shirley K., Foord, Eugene E. (1997) Minerals of Colorado. Fulcrum Publishing.

ⓘ Beryl

Formula: Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)

Description: Occurs rarely as disseminations, within veins, and within miarolitic cavities beneath molybdenum mineralization shell in rhyolite/granite porphyry. Blue to white in color, locally transparent. Crystals up to 1+ cm long in miarolitic cavities. Associated in part with greisen along with molybdenite, pyrite, muscovite, and fluorite.

References:

Mark Coolbaugh

ⓘ 'Biotite'

Formula: K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂

References:

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Epidote

Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

References:

ⓘ Fluorite

Formula: CaF₂

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ Galena

Formula: PbS

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

References:

ⓘ Heyrovskýite

Formula: Pb₆Bi₂S₉

Habit: together with lillianite, as irregular masses, and as acicular needles and blades up to 4 mm long

Description: Found with lillianite in a 1-2 cm wide pyrite-clinochlore-ankerite-fluorite-quartz vein above the molybdenite mineralized shell. XRD analysis by Mati Raudsepp, University of British Columbia. XRF analysis identifies presence of Bi, Pb, and minor Ag.

References:

Mark Coolbaugh

ⓘ Hübnerite

Formula: MnWO₄

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ 'K Feldspar'

References:

ⓘ Lillianite

Formula: Pb_3-2xAg_xBi_2+xS₆

Habit: together with heyrovskyite, as irregular masses, and acicular crystals and blades up to 4 mm long

Description: Found with heyrovskyite in a 1-2 cm wide pyrite-clinochlore-ankerite-fluorite-quartz vein above the molybdenite mineralized shell. XRD analysis by Mati Raudsepp, University of British Columbia. XRF analysis identifies presence of Bi, Pb, and minor Ag.

References:

Mark Coolbaugh

ⓘ 'Limonite'

References:

Eckel, Edwin Butt , Cobban, Robert R., Mosburg, Shirley K., Foord, Eugene E. (1997) Minerals of Colorado. Fulcrum Publishing.

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

ⓘ Molybdenite

Formula: MoS₂

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

References:

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

ⓘ Scheelite

Formula: Ca(WO₄)

Description: occurs sparingly with huebnerite

References:

Mark Coolbaugh

ⓘ Sphalerite

Formula: ZnS

References:

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Sphalerite	2.CB.05a	ZnS
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Pyrrhotite	2.CC.10	Fe_1-xS
ⓘ	Galena	2.CD.10	PbS
ⓘ	Molybdenite	2.EA.30	MoS₂
ⓘ	Pyrite	2.EB.05a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Lillianite	2.JB.40a	Pb_3-2xAg_xBi_2+xS₆
ⓘ	Heyrovskýite	2.JB.40b	Pb₆Bi₂S₉
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘ	Fluorite	3.AB.25	CaF₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Hematite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Hübnerite	4.DB.30	MnWO₄
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Anglesite	7.AD.35	PbSO₄
ⓘ	Scheelite	7.GA.05	Ca(WO₄)
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Epidote	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Beryl	9.CJ.05	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
ⓘ	Actinolite	9.DE.10	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	var. Sericite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Limonite'	-
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Biotite'	-	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
ⓘ	'K Feldspar'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
H	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Be	Beryllium
Be	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Anglesite	PbSO₄
O	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
O	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Hübnerite	MnWO₄
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Scheelite	Ca(WO₄)
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
F	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Mg	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Al	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Si	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Si	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Anglesite	PbSO₄
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Galena	PbS
S	ⓘ Lillianite	Pb_3-2xAg_xBi_2+xS₆
S	ⓘ Molybdenite	MoS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
S	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
S	ⓘ Heyrovskýite	Pb₆Bi₂S₉
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
Ca	ⓘ Scheelite	Ca(WO₄)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Mn	Manganese
Mn	ⓘ Hübnerite	MnWO₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Fe	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Fe	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Zn	Zinc
Zn	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
Mo	Molybdenum
Mo	ⓘ Molybdenite	MoS₂
Ag	Silver
Ag	ⓘ Lillianite	Pb_3-2xAg_xBi_2+xS₆
W	Tungsten
W	ⓘ Hübnerite	MnWO₄
W	ⓘ Scheelite	Ca(WO₄)
Pb	Lead
Pb	ⓘ Anglesite	PbSO₄
Pb	ⓘ Galena	PbS
Pb	ⓘ Lillianite	Pb_3-2xAg_xBi_2+xS₆
Pb	ⓘ Heyrovskýite	Pb₆Bi₂S₉
Bi	Bismuth
Bi	ⓘ Lillianite	Pb_3-2xAg_xBi_2+xS₆
Bi	ⓘ Heyrovskýite	Pb₆Bi₂S₉

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS:	10215357

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North America

Rocky MountainsMountain Range

North America PlateTectonic Plate

Great Plains DomainDomain

USA

Green River FormationFormation

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

(n.d.) Minerals Availability System (MAS), U.S. Bureau of Mines.file ID #0080510492

[1]Dowsett, F. R., Jr., M. W. Ganster, D. E. Ranta, D. J. Baker, and H. J. Stein, (1981) Geology of the Mount Emmons molybdenum deposit, Crested Butte, Colorado. in 32nd Field Conference New Mexico Geological Society, pp. 325-332.

Eckel, Edwin Butt , Cobban, Robert R., Mosburg, Shirley K., Foord, Eugene E. (1997) Minerals of Colorado. Fulcrum Publishing.

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

[2]Ludington, Steve and Plumlee, G.S. (2009), Climax-type porphyry molybdenum deposits, USGS Open File Report 2009–1215, 16 p.

Junxing Zhao, Kezhang Qin, Guangming Li, and Jinxiang Li (2011): Characteristics of alteration and mineralization in the Sharang porphyry molybdenum deposit in the northern margin of Gangdese and comparison with typical porphyry molybdenum deposits in the world. Geology and Exploration 47(1), 54-70.

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