Mojave Desert Gold Chain Mine January 2022
Channel: New Mexico Outdoor Sports Guide - NMOSG
Date: 31/01/2022

The Mojave is a desert of wind, temperature extremes, Joshua Trees and solitude. When most people hear the word ‘desert,’ images of tumbleweeds, rattlesnakes and bleak desolation typically come to mind. In reality, the Mojave is anything but a wasteland. Amongst the sand and sagebrush lie many places of beauty and wonder, and of historic importance. Some are the result of time and the elements, some are the result of man and his efforts to live in the Mojave, both in recent and prehistoric times.  Let’s go see what we can find.

The Gold Chain Mine is near Katherine, Arizona. Historically the site has been associated with the Union Pass Mining District which is now part of the Spirit Mountain Wilderness. The Gold Chain Mine was closed at the time of data entry with no known plans to re-open. The Mexican Highland of the Intermontane Plateaus characterize the geomorphology of the surrounding area.

A former Au occurrence/mine located in the SE¼ sec. 34, ; in the SW¼SW¼SW¼ sec. 35, T22N, R21W; and in the NW¼ sec. 3 T21N, R21W, G&SRM, about 2 miles south of the Burns Spring Wilderness Study area. Located SE of/on SE Spirit Mountain. Owned by the Gold Chain Development Company, Nevada (1931). Owned by Ellen Nelson, Jo Ann Long and Hollenstein, Arizona (1979). NOTE: Discrepancies exist among MRDS file regarding coordinates. The USGS MRDS database stated accuracy for this locality is 10 meters.

Mineralized rock containing detectable gold underlies the area. Local rocks include Middle Miocene to Oligocene volcanic rocks.

Workings include unspecified underground openings.

Resources and reserves: Sub-economic resources of 3,280,000 short tons of 0.0152 troy ounce Au/ton have been identified by drilling.

nmosg.com