Alma Mine (Alma Pyrite Mine), Leona Heights deposit, Leona Heights, Oakland, Oakland Hills (San Leandro Hills), Alameda Co., California, USAi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Alma Mine (Alma Pyrite Mine) | Mine |
| Leona Heights deposit | Deposit |
| Leona Heights | - not defined - |
| Oakland | - not defined - |
| Oakland Hills (San Leandro Hills) | Group of Hills |
| Alameda Co. | County |
| California | State |
| USA | Country |
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Key
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
37° 47' 29'' North , 122° 10' 27'' West (est.)
Estimate based on other nearby localities or region boundaries.
Margin of Error:
~0km
Locality type:
Köppen climate type:
A S-pyrite-Cu-Ag occurrence/mine located in sec. 34, T1S, R3W, MDM, 0.5 km (0.3 mile) NE of Leona Heights proper and 8.5 km (5.3 miles) E of Oakland center, on private land. Discovered prior to 1892. Owned by Leota C. Reed (1950). MRDS database accuracy for this location is not stated. This mine was originally opened in 1892 and produced principally sulfuric acid until 1934. No pyrite was mined after 1934.
Mineralization is hosted in Pliocene rhyolite. The ore body is lenticular at a thickness of 5.49 meters. Controls for ore emplacement included fractures. The geology is similar to that of the Leona Heights Mine on the same ore zone. The pyrite contains some chalcopyrite and some secondary Cu minerals, boothite, chalcanthite and pisanite. Local rocks include Tertiary intrusive rocks (hypabyssal), unit 9 (Jurassic gabbros along Hayward Fault) and/or ultramafic rocks, chiefly Mesozoic, unit 3 (Coast Ranges and Western Klamath Mountains).
Local geologic structures include the Hayward Fault and 2 parallel, smaller faults with horizontal displacement.
Workings include underground openings with a length of 1,524 meters and was developed by 5,000 feet of tunnels and drifts. The old workings were burned and a new adit was driven at a lower level.
Copper was produced from the residue after the extraction of the acid and from leaching the dump, amounted to 375,000 pounds of Cu (1929-1935). Later, some small production was realized in 1942 & 1944. Some Ag and a little Au were also produced as by-products. The figure for Cu production includes that from the nearby Leona Mine.
Analytical data results: 1% Cu.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Dana Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.Mineral List
15 valid minerals. 1 (TL) - type locality of valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Alunogen Formula: Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O Colour: White Description: Pulverulent material. Reference: Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 212; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 263.; Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
ⓘ Boothite (TL) Formula: CuSO4 · 7H2O Type Locality: Reference: Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 505; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 207; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1905b), Mineralogical notes: USGS Bulletin 262: 123; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 296.; Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
ⓘ Chalcanthite Formula: CuSO4 · 5H2O Description: Abundant as massive coatings and crystals. Reference: Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 490; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 207, 212; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 296.; Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
| ⓘ Chalcopyrite Formula: CuFeS2 Description: Occurs in small amounts in massive pyrite. Reference: Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 194; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 87. |
| ⓘ Copiapite Formula: Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O Habit: Acicular Colour: Yellow Description: Needles. Reference: Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 626; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 214; Larsen, Esper Signius (1921), The microscopic determination of nonopaque minerals: USGS Bulletin 679, 294 pp.: 61; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 274.; Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
| ⓘ Copper Formula: Cu Description: Occurs as fine arborescent groups of crystals. Reference: Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 195; Davis, Fenelon Francis (1950), Mines and mineral resources of Alameda County, California: California Journal of Mines and Geology: 46: 296; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 48.; Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
| ⓘ Epsomite Formula: MgSO4 · 7H2O Description: Occurs as efflorescences on walls. Reference: Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 512; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 216; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 266. |
| ⓘ Halotrichite Formula: FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O Reference: Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
| ⓘ Hematite Formula: Fe2O3 Reference: Univ. California, Dep. Geol. Bull. 3 (1903) 191-218 |
| ⓘ Hexahydrite Formula: MgSO4 · 6H2O Reference: Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
| ⓘ Kröhnkite Formula: Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O Reference: Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 207; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 298.; Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
| ⓘ 'Limonite' Formula: (Fe,O,OH,H2O) Reference: Univ. California, Dep. Geol. Bull. 3 (1903) 191-218 |
| ⓘ Melanterite Formula: Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O Description: Occurs on mine walls (post-mining product). Reference: Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 502; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 195, 212; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 270. |
| ⓘ Melanterite var: Formula: (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O Description: A secondary mineral (post-mining) forming on mine walls. Reference: Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 195, 199; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 270. |
ⓘ Pentahydrite Formula: MgSO4 · 5H2O Reference: Jeffrey Weissman collection |
| ⓘ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 Reference: Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 191; Clark, Clifton W. (1917), The geology and ore deposits of the Leona rhyolite, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 10: 374; Davis, Fenelon Francis (1950), Mines and mineral resources of Alameda County, California: California Journal of Mines and Geology: 46: 306; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 71.; Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
| ⓘ Römerite Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O Reference: Anthony R. Kampf & FM Locality Index Committee (1989) California Locality Index. Mineralogical Record, 20:129-142. |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 1 - Elements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Copper | 1.AA.05 | Cu |
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
| ⓘ | Chalcopyrite | 2.CB.10a | CuFeS2 |
| ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Hematite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2O3 |
| Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
| ⓘ | Alunogen | 7.CB.45 | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| ⓘ | Boothite (TL) | 7.CB.35 | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| ⓘ | Chalcanthite | 7.CB.20 | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| ⓘ | Copiapite | 7.DB.35 | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| ⓘ | Epsomite | 7.CB.40 | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| ⓘ | Halotrichite | 7.CB.85 | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| ⓘ | Hexahydrite | 7.CB.25 | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| ⓘ | Kröhnkite | 7.CC.30 | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| ⓘ | Melanterite | 7.CB.35 | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| ⓘ | var: Cuprian Melanterite | 7.CB.35 | (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O |
| ⓘ | Pentahydrite | 7.CB.20 | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| ⓘ | Römerite | 7.CB.75 | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc. | |||
| ⓘ | 'Limonite' | - | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification
| Group 1 - NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metals, other than the Platinum Group | |||
| ⓘ | Copper | 1.1.1.3 | Cu |
| Group 2 - SULFIDES | |||
| AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1 | |||
| ⓘ | Chalcopyrite | 2.9.1.1 | CuFeS2 |
| AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2 | |||
| ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.12.1.1 | FeS2 |
| Group 4 - SIMPLE OXIDES | |||
| A2X3 | |||
| ⓘ | Hematite | 4.3.1.2 | Fe2O3 |
| Group 29 - HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES | |||
| A2B(XO4)2·xH2O | |||
| ⓘ | Kröhnkite | 29.3.2.1 | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| AXO4·xH2O | |||
| ⓘ | Boothite (TL) | 29.6.10.2 | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| ⓘ | Chalcanthite | 29.6.7.1 | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| ⓘ | Epsomite | 29.6.11.1 | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| ⓘ | Hexahydrite | 29.6.8.1 | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| ⓘ | Melanterite | 29.6.10.1 | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| ⓘ | Pentahydrite | 29.6.7.3 | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| AB2(XO4)4·H2O | |||
| ⓘ | Halotrichite | 29.7.3.2 | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| ⓘ | Römerite | 29.7.2.1 | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| A2(XO4)3·H2O | |||
| ⓘ | Alunogen | 29.8.6.1 | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| Group 31 - HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN | |||
| Miscellaneous | |||
| ⓘ | Copiapite | 31.10.5.1 | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| Unclassified Minerals, Mixtures, etc. | |||
| ⓘ | 'Limonite' | - | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| ⓘ | Melanterite var: Cuprian Melanterite | - | (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | ⓘ Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| H | ⓘ Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| H | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| H | ⓘ Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| H | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| H | ⓘ Copiapite | Fe2+Fe43+(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| H | ⓘ Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| H | ⓘ Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| H | ⓘ Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| H | ⓘ Römerite | Fe2+Fe23+(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| H | ⓘ Melanterite (var: Cuprian Melanterite) | (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O |
| H | ⓘ Limonite | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| H | ⓘ Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| O | ⓘ Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| O | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| O | ⓘ Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| O | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| O | ⓘ Copiapite | Fe2+Fe43+(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| O | ⓘ Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| O | ⓘ Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| O | ⓘ Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| O | ⓘ Römerite | Fe2+Fe23+(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| O | ⓘ Melanterite (var: Cuprian Melanterite) | (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O |
| O | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| O | ⓘ Limonite | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| O | ⓘ Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| Na | Sodium | |
| Na | ⓘ Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | ⓘ Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| Mg | ⓘ Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| Mg | ⓘ Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | ⓘ Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| Al | ⓘ Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | ⓘ Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| S | ⓘ Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| S | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| S | ⓘ Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| S | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| S | ⓘ Copiapite | Fe2+Fe43+(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| S | ⓘ Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| S | ⓘ Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| S | ⓘ Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| S | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Römerite | Fe2+Fe23+(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| S | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Melanterite (var: Cuprian Melanterite) | (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O |
| S | ⓘ Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Copiapite | Fe2+Fe43+(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Römerite | Fe2+Fe23+(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Melanterite (var: Cuprian Melanterite) | (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| Fe | ⓘ Limonite | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| Cu | Copper | |
| Cu | ⓘ Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| Cu | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| Cu | ⓘ Copper | Cu |
| Cu | ⓘ Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| Cu | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Cu | ⓘ Melanterite (var: Cuprian Melanterite) | (Fe,Cu)SO4 · 7H2O |
References
Sort by
Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1903a), Minerals from Leona Heights, Alameda County, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 3: 191-217.
Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1905b), Mineralogical notes: USGS Bulletin 262: 121-144.
Lawson, Andrew Cowper (1914), Description of the San Francisco district: Tamalpais, San Francisco, Concord, San Mateo, and Hayward quadrangles: USGS Geol. Atlas, San Francisco folio (Folio No. 193), 24 pp.: 22.
Clark, Clifton W. (1917), The geology and ore deposits of the Leona rhyolite, California: University of California, Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin: 10: 374.
Larsen, Esper Signius (1921), The microscopic determination of nonopaque minerals: USGS Bulletin 679, 294 pp.: 61.
Eric, J.C. (1948), Tabulation of Copper Deposits in California in: Copper in California: California Division of Mines Bulletin 144: 212.
Davis, Fenelon Francis (1950), Mines and mineral resources of Alameda County, California: California Journal of Mines and Geology: 46: 296, 305-306, 340, Pl. 58.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 490, 502, 504, 626.
California Division of Mines & Geology (1957), Bulletin 176: 450,451, 619.
California Division of Mines (1958): Mineral Information Service: 11(5): 2.
Branner, G.C. (1959), Sulfur in California and Nevada: U.S. Bureau of Mines, Information Circular 7898, 50 p.: 5.
Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 62, 108, 127, 131, 156, 157, 236, 257, 290, 301.
Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 48, 71, 87, 263, 266, 270, 274, 296, 298.
USGS (2005), Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS): U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, loc. file ID #10027996 & 10036253.
Other Databases
| USGS MRDS Record: | 10027996 |
|---|
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North America
- Coast MountainsMountain Range
North America PlateTectonic Plate
USA
- California
- Diablo RangeMountain Range
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Alma Mine, Leona Heights deposit, Leona Heights, Oakland, Oakland Hills, Alameda Co., California, USA