Located near the center of the NE4SW4 Sec. 23 T9S R2W SBM, about 1.25 miles northeast of Pala, the workings are situated low at the southeastern base of Tourmaline Queen Mountain. The principal development was a shallow cut made in the extreme southern exposure of the Douglass pegmatite dike.
In 1914, Frederick Merrill reported that the American Lithia and Chemical Company owned a half interest in the Douglass claim, with the remaining interest held by T. A. Blakeley, of San Bernardino.
The Pala Douglass mine was described in 1947 by Edward R. Swoboda as a bench cut measuring 40 x 20 x 12 feet with two underground drifts heading north 50 degrees by 60 degrees west. The northern adit was reported as caved for the first 20 feet back, but the tunnel could be examined via the southern adit. The northern tunnel pegmatite was described as rich in sprays of muscovite and coarse graphic granite, with good pocket zone chiefly along the footwall, consisting of a quartz and microcline core zone. The southern tunnel was described as heading north 40 degrees west for 30 feet, then a slow bend to the north for 20 feet, then 12 feet beyond the bend heading north for 6 feet where it connected with the north tunnel. Garnet rich bands of line rock were reported. Pockets were reported as fairly common, with production mainly consisting of a small amount of gem tourmaline and quartz.
In 1951, Richard H. Jahns listed the principal output as gem and specimen quality tourmaline and quartz. In 1958, ownership of the mine was considered undetermined by F. H. Weber, while noting that the area was located on patented non-mining land.
The private property is encompassed by lands managed for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
References:
Jahns, R. H. and Wright, L. A. 1951. Gem and Lithium-bearing pegmatites of the Pala District, San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines special report 7A: p. 14, 72 pp.
Merrill, F. J. H. 1914. Geology and Mineral Resources of San Diego and Imperial Counties: Gems, Lithia Minerals. California State Mining Bureau, San Francisco, Cal. California State Printing Office. Chapter 1, pages 61-78.
Swoboda, E. R. 2001. Pala district 1946-48: Unpublished field notes and personal interviews. Swoboda Inc., Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, CA; 5/2; 8 p.
Weber, F. H. 1963. Geology and mineral resources of San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology, County Report 3: p. 109.
|
|
|
Map Reference: 33°22'40"N , 117°3'42"W
Important Disclaimer: 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.
Switch between Map and Globe
|
