Empire Copper Mine, Mackay Mining District, Custer County, Idaho, USA

Chrysocolla on iron-rich gossan. Chrysocolla has been one of the principal ores at this mine. Collected in 1964 by Wm. P. Walker (#426).

© Kelly Nash

Galena with small anglesite crystals in the cavity upper right. Collected in 1964 by Wm. P. Walker (#416).

© Kelly Nash

Cerussite crystals on limonite. Collected in 1964 by Wm. P. Walker (#414) .

© Kelly Nash

Collected on the dumps adjacent to the upper terminus of the historic aerial bucket line building in June 2025. Identification of chalcopyrite based on the iridescence of the weathered edge. Photo 2 shows brassy coloration from a freshly broken edge. Photo 3 is a photo through a microscope of the iridescent edge.

Collected on the dumps adjacent to the upper terminus of the aerial bucket line in June 2025. Identification based on visual analysis. While not much of an azurite specimen, I encountered very few examples of copper carbonates at the site.

Collected on the dumps adjacent to the upper terminus of the aerial bucket line in June 2025. I originally thought this might be cuprite based on the dark reddish color and crystallography. However with a black streak and high magnetism, magnetite seems clear. In some of the reading I've done on this area, magnetite and hematite were both noted ...

This photo was taken through a microscope showing the crystallography. Collected on the dumps adjacent to the upper terminus of the aerial bucket line in June 2025. I originally thought this might be cuprite based on the dark reddish color and crystallography. However with a black streak and high magnetism, magnetite seems clear. In some of ...

Collected on the dumps adjacent to the upper terminus of the historic aerial bucket line building in June 2025. Identification of chalcopyrite based on the iridescence of the weathered edge. This photo 3 is a photo through a microscope of the iridescent edge.

Collected on the dumps down hill from the Cossack Tunnel in June 2025. I've attributed this to the Empire Copper Mine based on my research which suggests the Cossack Tunnel was a haulage tunnel for the Empire Copper Mine workings. See discussion thread https://www.mindat.org/mesg-734480.html although at the time of this posting, there is no ...

This photo was taken through a microscope showing some oddly distorted crystals of what I believe are chalcopyrite. Collected on the dumps adjacent to the upper terminus of the aerial bucket line in June 2025.

Old postcard view.

This photo was taken in June 2025 of the large and magnificent building at the upper terminus of the Empire Copper Mine aerial bucket line. The building appears to be undergoing preservation/restoration/repair as the building itself is posted no trespassing. The areas around the building contain extensive dumps.