Mineralization is hosted in pyroxenite at contact of granite and crystalline limestone.
"The deposit was opened for molybdenum in 1917. Development consisted of two shafts, 9 m and 12 m deep, and an open-cut. A concentrator was built on the site. About 78 t of ore were shipped from the deposit. Mine dumps are adjacent to the cement foundation of the concentrator."
The White Elephant Mine is referenced in “200 Mineral Locations in Southern Ontario” by Harley Leach no publication date but estimate 1960s or early 1970s publication date. It is listed in the location index on page 90. It is not listed in the guide itself but is included on the mimeographed correction sheet that comes with the guide to be included as location 55 on page 27.
Mr. Leach gives the following directions to the mine: “From south end of Wilberforce, travel west on Fleming Road; park at the second intersection on the right; the old mine road is on the left beside a new house. Follow the old mine road, located behind the garage. Obtain permission at the house to cross their land.”
The White Elephant Mine also referenced as location No. 44 in the 1978 edition of the Peterson Guide, “Peterson Guide to Mineral Collecting Bancroft Area” by Helen Peterson. It is not listed in the earlier 1970 edition of the Peterson Guide.
Helen gives the following directions to the mine, “Continue north on #648 to Wilberforce to Fleming Road. Turn left and drive 0.25 miles to Oram house on your left. (Look for grass-covered causeway past the house.) Ask permission here; the mine is a short distance to your left.
The American Molybdenite Mine is referenced on page 74 in Ann Sabina’s Rocks and Minerals for the Collector, Bancroft – Parry Sound area and Southern Ontario, Geological Survey of Canada Miscellaneous Report 39, 1986. Ann Sabina gives the mine directions as follows:
"km 0 Junction Highway 648 and Fleming Road; proceed west onto Fleming Road.
km 0.6 A trail leads south beyond a beaver pond to the mine. The distance from the Fleming Road is about 180 meters.”
"The White Elephant mine name is a local name given to the American Molybdenite mine because apparently the town of Wilberforce and some of its residents were persuaded to buy stock in the mine. Unfortunately the mine did not prove out and the town and residents lost their money. I didn’t see it personally but I understand that for a number of years the worthless stock certificates were on display in the town office. Hence the mine became known locally as the White Elephant mine."(John Duck)
References
Peterson, Helen (1978) “Peterson Guide to Mineral Collecting Bancroft Area.”
Sabina, Ann P. (1988), "Rocks and Minerals for the Collector: Bancroft to Parry Sound Area and Southern Ontario", Geological Survey of Canada Miscellaneous Report 39, reprint.
Mineral List
8 entries listed. 5 valid minerals.
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