The Silverton Belle
(Lode)
(20.66 acres)
San Juan County, Colorado
$54,000
SALE PENDING
(Lode)
(20.66 acres)
San Juan County, Colorado
$54,000
SALE PENDING
•Primary Commodities: Gold, and Silver
•Secondary Commodities: Copper, and base metals
•Claim designation: un-patented Lode
• Size: 20.66 acres
•Location: San Juan County, Colorado
•Secondary Commodities: Copper, and base metals
•Claim designation: un-patented Lode
• Size: 20.66 acres
•Location: San Juan County, Colorado
The Silverton Belle is a documented mineral property located in the historic Red Mountain District of the San Juan mountains in Colorado.
Formerly known as the “John and Joe deposit”, the mine was located in 1882 and held under private ownership throughout the 1980s.
Featuring a tunnel-style adit entrance with an estimate of over 2000' in underground workings, an old generator house, and a one-of-a-kind secluded location.
In the beginning, only low-grade discoveries were made in the first few years of mining activity. In fact, the entire Red Mountain district is composed of low-grade ore in abundance. However, valuable columns of silver ore called “pipes” were discovered in vertical chimney deposits thirty to one hundred feet in width. The deposits carried as much as 1,000 ounces of silver per ton, with Gold, Copper, and Zinc values.
When John Robinson discovered the fabulously rich Yankee Girl Mine in 1882, the rush was on to Colorado’s newest mining district. The Yankee Girl mine located on the north side of Red Mountain #3 reported ore so rich, that it shipped directly to the smelters, bypassing the preliminary processing. Ore from the mine was valued at over $10,000 per ton at the time, today the worth would exceed $100 million per ton.
Newspapers spread the word on the east coast of the valuable ore coming out of the district, piquing the interest of numerous investors. After silver strikes were made at the Guston, Congress, and the National Belle mines, Eastern capitalists began sending money into the district, leading to the rapid industrialization of the area. By 1883, nearly 40 mines were sending silver ore to smelters.
After the Silver Panic of 1893, the district dramatically declined. The Silverton Railroad cut back service, shortened the line, and then was abandoned in 1921.
Mining revived during the first and second world wars. In the 1930s the Idarado Mine opened and it continued to operate until 1978. It is estimated that upwards of 30 million dollars in silver, lead, zinc, copper, and gold were taken from the Red Mountain Mining District in a few short decades. At today’s prices that production would be well over a quarter of a billion dollars today.
- The Silverton Belle is located on the lower face of Red Mountain, directly as the crow flies across the peak from the famous Yankee Girl Mine.
The production history has been lost or purposely omitted from any available federal or private records, the production was estimated as substantially high considering the underground development and sophisticated compressor equipment utilized during production.
- Primary workings consist of an adit driven at an 85-degree angle into the mountainside. The mine entrance features a swinging steel safety gate and steel portal entrance, as the original timbers have long decayed over time and weather erosion.
Secondary workings consist of two adits driven into upper-level workings of the mine, though both have eroded closed due to overburden from the mountainside.
Mine spill is estimated at well over 100,000 yards of material, comprised of low-to-mid grade ore and host rock.
A compressor/ generator house stands next to the primary adit entrance. The historical building houses a vintage ( Ingersol Rand Co. Imperial type 10) compressor, electric turbines, and equipment.
The wheelset compressor would have powered the drills and equipment for the early production.
A small spring-fed creek is available in the mountainside gulch, providing water to a nearby creek. The surrounding panoramic peak views of the range's colorful topography are absolutely breathtaking.
Access is via a well-maintained dirt road suitable for any higher clearance vehicle in the warmer months.
With a parking and staging area near the mine and compressor house, suitable for a mid-to-large sized camper.
This one-of-a-kind mineral property is a perfect location for the beginning enthusiast up to an established mining company.
Truly an heirloom mine with untold possibilities in an exceedingly rich mineral district.
•Primary Commodities: Gold, and Silver
•Secondary Commodities: Copper, and base metals
•Claim designation: un-patented Lode
• Size: 20.66 acres
•Location: San Juan County, Colorado
•Secondary Commodities: Copper, and base metals
•Claim designation: un-patented Lode
• Size: 20.66 acres
•Location: San Juan County, Colorado