Ophir Mine

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From the California Journal of Mines and Geology, Vol. 47, No. 1, Jan. 1951:

2 patented and 13 unpatented lode claims are owned by Gold Bottom Mines, A.L. Damon, president, 2215 Poplar Avenue, Sacramento, California.

The ore is galena, lead carbonate, and lead vanadate ina fissure zone which strikes N. 30 degrees W. and dips 60 to 70 degrees W. The workings consist of three shafts, the main onebeing 500 feet in depth, and more than 2500 feet of drifts and crosscuts.

The Thompson Divide Mining Company (now Gold Bottom Mines) took over the property in 1943. A new Allis Chalmers hoist with a 50 HP electric motor was installed, and 50 tons of ore per week was mined and shipped to the United States Smelting, Refining and Mining COmpany smelter at Midvale, Utah. The ore is reported to have averaged 20 percent lead, 4 percent zinc and 4 ounces od silver per ton. Reserves were not developed and the company stopped operations in July 1946 because of lack of ore and the difficulty in obtaining men. Some additional work was done in 1948 and early 1949. About 150 tons of ore was produced which assayed 8 percent lead, 10 ounces of silver and 0.04 ounces of gold.

Equipment in addition to he hoist included a 315-cubic-foot Ingersoll Rand compressor and electric motors in the mill. The mill had a capacity for 120 per 24 hours but was operated only 30 days per year. Power was supplied by the Southern Sierras Power Company.

The property is idle.

The mine operated between 1915 and 1950, producing $800,000 worth of silver-lead ore.

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