A fluorspar mine operated by the Rosiclare Lead and Spar Company on the northern part of the Rosiclare vein. Inlcuded the Rosiclare shaft, Rosiclare Plant shaft and Air shaft. Maximum vein widths were 35 - 30 feet, but averaged 5 to 6 feet. The vein was mined continuously for 4,850 feet (Grogan & Bradbury, 1967).
As was typical for the vein deposits, fluorite in the vein pinched out at depth, becoming calcite. The depth at which the fluorite "bottomed out" varied from 300 to 720 feet. [A. Goldstein, Min. Rec., v. 27, n. 1, 1997, p. 13.]
Where the vein reached the surface, it was not mined where the mill was built on top of it. Those deposits are still there (Gill Montgomery to A. Goldstein).
Add. Refs.: Rocks & Min.: 6:93; 64:17; Minerals Yearbook (1988)- Zinc: 9.
NOTE: The Yale Peabody/USGS GNIS database provides two sets of coordinates for this mine based apparently on the widespread underground workings and surface opening. Coordinates are relatively close.
As of 1952 the mine included the Recovery, Deep, South Boundary, Rosiclare Plant, Ghelia, North Boundary, Air, and Midway Shafts.
The American Fluorite Museum is now located on the mill site, which was also the location of the Rosiclare shaft. A small dump of the mill lies just outside the fence of the museum property and contains: calcite, chalcopyrite, fluorite, galena, malachite, quartz and sphalerite.
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Map Reference: 37°25'30"N , 88°20'45"W
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