Salisbury Mine (Old Hill Mine; Ore Hill Mine), Salisbury District, Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, USAi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Salisbury Mine (Old Hill Mine; Ore Hill Mine) | Mine |
| Salisbury District | Mining District |
| Salisbury | - not defined - |
| Litchfield Co. | County |
| Connecticut | State |
| USA | Country |
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| Latitude & Longitude (WGS84): | 41° 57' 23'' North , 73° 28' 19'' West | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latitude & Longitude (decimal): | 41.95639,-73.47194 | ||||||||||||||||||
| GeoHash: | G#: dr7y8jgme | ||||||||||||||||||
| Locality type: | Mine | ||||||||||||||||||
| Köppen climate type: | Dfb : Warm-summer humid continental climate | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nearest Settlements: |
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The largest and most important mine in the Salisbury District. While specimens of goethite are often just labeled "Salisbury" and could be from any of the district's mines, they are most likely from the Salisbury mine because it operated into the early 20th century, and the dumps were accessible for decades afterward. According to Hiller (1967), in the 1960s the area was owned by Calvin Flint, who would show collectors the best areas, which were on the west side of the now flooded pit (Ore Hill Pond). The pond is now surrounded by residential development.
Goethite iron ore was discovered on Old Hill (later Ore Hill) in 1732, production was sporadic until 1884, then worked heavily until 1904, with 200 miners pulling out 5,000 tons per year. It was the last goethite mine to close in 1923. This mine became the most important of the several goethite mines in the state, which exploited a metamorphosed lateritic soil horizon that formed on an unconformity between the Cambro-Ordovician Stockbridge Marble and the overlying Ordovician Walloomsac Schist. The ore was typically referred to in contemporary literature as "brown hematite", "brown oxide of iron" or "limonite", none of which is strictly correct. In this area the ore body is 65 feet thick and 0.75 miles long and dips 45 north. Mostly mined as an open pit, but there were inclined shafts down to 800 feet with extensive underground workings.
Hobbs (1907) gives this description:
The "Ore Hill" mines are at present entirely below ground, and are operated by the "caving" method. The older works at the locality, which were formerly known as the “Brook” pit, are a little to the north of the main incline, and, like most of the other mines of the Salisbury district, were operated from the surface by “open“ methods. In the present workings the ore body is largely enclosed in Berkshire or Hudson [Walloomsac] schist, though a narrow layer of dolomite forms the greater part of the hanging wall. The dip of the rock is to the southeast at angles near 25°, and is subject to sudden changes. The incline descends along the foot wall at an angle of about 25°, but meets abrupt upward projections of this wall, which seem to recur at regular intervals approximating forty or fifty feet. About 170 feet vertically below the entrance to the incline, and about thirty feet above the lowest level, this foot wall comes up in a nearly vertical plane so as to cut off the ore. The foot wall wherever examined was found to be graphitic schist like that of the Berkshire formation in the vicinity, and the ore appears to be largely a replacement of this rock, in which are found irregular block-like masses of so-called "white horse." The “white horse” somewhat resembles the dolomite, but has soapy feel and contains 50 per cent or more of ferric oxide. It appears to be a mixture of iron carbonate and talc, and elsewhere in the Salisbury district it has been mined for the iron which it contains. At the surface it weathers to a brown color owing to the hydration of the iron oxide. The interruptions in the foot wall above described appear to be due to faults, along which the throw has been in most cases only a few feet. The hanging wall, which is exposed in the lowest level for a considerable distance, is a hard dolomitic marble, but in some places this is a garnetiferous and staurolitic schist. The peculiar relations at this mine are explained by interstratification of the dolomite and schist near their junction combined with normal faulting.
Regions containing this locality
| North America Plate | Tectonic Plate |
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Strunz Dana Chemical ElementsDetailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Formula: Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 Description: The reference cited is discussing this mineral in context with its occurrence at the Scovill mine of the Salisbury iron ore district, not specifically regarding the Ore Hill, Salisbury mine. Reference: Januzzi, Ronald E. and David Seaman. (1976), Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World. Taylor Assoc./Mineralogical Press, Danbury: 229. |
| Cryptomelane Formula: K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 Habit: botryoidal Colour: black with blue tint Reference: Harold Moritz collection |
| ⓘ Gibbsite Formula: Al(OH)3 Habit: radially fibrous masses, stalactitic and spherical concretions, and as incrustations Reference: Januzzi, Ronald E. and David Seaman. (1976), Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World. Taylor Assoc./Mineralogical Press, Danbury: 229. |
| Goethite Formula: α-Fe3+O(OH) Habit: mostly earthy and massive, rarely radially fibrous masses, stalactitic, botryoidal, spherical Colour: brown to dark brown nearly black, some botryoidal and lustrous specimens are iridescent Description: Often misclassified as limonite, or "brown hematite" in older literature. Most material is massive dull earthy ore, best specimens have stalactitic to botryoidal forms with a highly lustrous, black surface. Reference: Hobbs, William Herbert. (1907), The Iron Ores of the Salisbury District of Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Economic Geology: 2: 153-181.; Januzzi, Ronald E. and David Seaman. (1976), Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World. Taylor Assoc./Mineralogical Press, Danbury. |
| ⓘ ' Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 Description: The reference cited is discussing this mineral in context with its occurrence at the Scovill mine of the Salisbury iron ore district, not specifically regarding the Ore Hill, Salisbury mine. Reference: Januzzi, Ronald E. and David Seaman. (1976), Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World. Taylor Assoc./Mineralogical Press, Danbury: 229. |
| ⓘ Formula: Fe2O3 Description: The ore is goethite, but most old literature calls it "hematite", "brown hematite", "turgite", etc., yet all specimens have a brown streak not a red streak. Reference: John Betts (www.mindat.org/mesg-7-134775.html) |
| ⓘ 'Limonite' Formula: (Fe,O,OH,H2O) Reference: Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State (Taylor Assoc./Mineralogical Press); Rocks & Minerals (1995) 70:396-409 |
| ⓘ Formula: (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 Description: The reference cited is discussing this mineral in context with its occurrence at the Scovill mine of the Salisbury iron ore district, not specifically regarding the Ore Hill, Salisbury mine. Reference: Januzzi, Ronald E. and David Seaman. (1976), Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World. Taylor Assoc./Mineralogical Press, Danbury: 229. |
| Pyrolusite Formula: Mn4+O2 Habit: massive, botryoidal or as lustrous tabular crystals to 3mm in pockets in goethite. Colour: black Description: According to Schairer (1931): "Occurs crystallized (probably pseudomorphous) at Salisbury and Kent, also as aggregates of coarse columnar grains or needles or as coatings on limonite. The quality of the iron produced at the iron mines of northwestern Connecticut was due to the presence of this mineral in the ore." Reference: Schairer, J. F. (1931), The Minerals of Connecticut. State Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 51. Former Miller collection. |
| ⓘ Siderite Formula: FeCO3 Description: According to Hobbs (1901): "...irregular block-like masses of so-called 'white horse.' The 'white horse' somewhat resembles the dolomite, but has soapy feel and contains 50 per cent or more of ferric oxide. It appears to be a mixture of iron carbonate and talc, and elsewhere in the Salisbury district it has been mined for the iron which it contains. At the surface it weathers to a brown color owing to the hydration of the iron oxide." Reference: Hobbs, William Herbert. (1907), The Iron Ores of the Salisbury District of Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Economic Geology: 2: 153-181. |
| ⓘ Talc Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 Description: According to Hobbs (1901): "...irregular block-like masses of so-called 'white horse.' The 'white horse' somewhat resembles the dolomite, but has soapy feel and contains 50 per cent or more of ferric oxide. It appears to be a mixture of iron carbonate and talc, and elsewhere in the Salisbury district it has been mined for the iron which it contains. At the surface it weathers to a brown color owing to the hydration of the iron oxide." Reference: Hobbs, William Herbert. (1907), The Iron Ores of the Salisbury District of Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Economic Geology: 2: 153-181. |
| ⓘ 'Turgite' Description: The ore is goethite, but most old literature calls it "hematite", "brown hematite", "turgite", etc., yet all specimens have a brown streak not a red streak. Reference: John Betts (www.mindat.org/mesg-7-134775.html) |
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Cryptomelane | 4.DK.05a | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| ⓘ | Gibbsite | 4.FE.10 | Al(OH)3 |
| ⓘ | Goethite | 4.00. | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| ⓘ | Hematite ? | 4.CB.05 | Fe2O3 |
| ⓘ | Lithiophorite ? | 4.FE.25 | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Pyrolusite | 4.DB.05 | Mn4+O2 |
| Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
| ⓘ | Siderite | 5.AB.05 | FeCO3 |
| Group 9 - Silicates | |||
| ⓘ | Bementite ? | 9.EE.05 | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| ⓘ | 'Halloysite' ? | 9.ED.10 | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| ⓘ | Talc | 9.EC.05 | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc. | |||
| ⓘ | 'Limonite' | - | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| ⓘ | 'Turgite' | - | |
List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification
| Group 4 - SIMPLE OXIDES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A2X3 | |||
| ⓘ | Hematite ? | 4.3.1.2 | Fe2O3 |
| AX2 | |||
| ⓘ | Pyrolusite | 4.4.1.4 | Mn4+O2 |
| Group 6 - HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL | |||
| XO(OH) | |||
| ⓘ | Goethite | 6.1.1.2 | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| X(OH)3 | |||
| ⓘ | Gibbsite | 6.3.1.1 | Al(OH)3 |
| Miscellaneous | |||
| ⓘ | Lithiophorite ? | 6.4.1.1 | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| Group 7 - MULTIPLE OXIDES | |||
| AB8X16 | |||
| ⓘ | Cryptomelane | 7.9.1.2 | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| Group 14 - ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES | |||
| A(XO3) | |||
| ⓘ | Siderite | 14.1.1.3 | FeCO3 |
| Group 71 - PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings | |||
| Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers | |||
| ⓘ | 'Halloysite' ? | 71.1.1.4 | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Sheets of 6-membered rings with 2:1 layers | |||
| ⓘ | Talc | 71.2.1.3 | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| Group 78 - Unclassified Silicates | |||
| ⓘ | Bementite ? | 78.5.2.1 | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| Unclassified Minerals, Mixtures, etc. | |||
| ⓘ | 'Limonite' | - | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| ⓘ | 'Turgite' | - | |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | ⓘ Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Limonite | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| H | ⓘ Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
| H | ⓘ Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Halloysite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| H | ⓘ Bementite | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| H | ⓘ Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| Li | Lithium | |
| Li | ⓘ Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| C | Carbon | |
| C | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| O | ⓘ Cryptomelane | K(Mn74+Mn3+)O16 |
| O | ⓘ Limonite | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| O | ⓘ Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
| O | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Halloysite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| O | ⓘ Bementite | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| O | ⓘ Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | ⓘ Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | ⓘ Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
| Al | ⓘ Halloysite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Al | ⓘ Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| Si | ⓘ Halloysite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Si | ⓘ Bementite | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| K | Potassium | |
| K | ⓘ Cryptomelane | K(Mn74+Mn3+)O16 |
| Mn | Manganese | |
| Mn | ⓘ Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| Mn | ⓘ Cryptomelane | K(Mn74+Mn3+)O16 |
| Mn | ⓘ Bementite | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| Mn | ⓘ Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| Fe | ⓘ Limonite | (Fe,O,OH,H2O) |
| Fe | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| Fe | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
Regional Geology
This geological map and associated information on rock units at or nearby to the coordinates given for this locality is based on relatively small scale geological maps provided by various national Geological Surveys. This does not necessarily represent the complete geology at this locality but it gives a background for the region in which it is found.
Click on geological units on the map for more information. Click here to view full-screen map on Macrostrat.org
| Ordovician - Neoproterozoic 443.8 - 1000 Ma ID: 3190671 | Precambrian-Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks Age: Neoproterozoic to Ordovician (443.8 - 1000 Ma) Lithology: Mudstone-carbonate-sandstone-conglomerate Reference: Chorlton, L.B. Generalized geology of the world: bedrock domains and major faults in GIS format: a small-scale world geology map with an extended geological attribute database. doi: 10.4095/223767. Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 5529. [154] |
| Middle Ordovician 458.4 - 470 Ma ID: 2990251 | Walloomsac Schist Age: Middle Ordovician (458.4 - 470 Ma) Stratigraphic Name: Walloomsac Schist Description: Black to dark-or silvery-gray, rarely layered schist or phyllite, composed of quartz, albite, and commonly garnet and staurolite or sillimanite (locally strongly retrograded to chlorite and muscovite). Locally feldspathic or calcareous near the base. Comments: Part of Western Uplands; Proto-North American (Continental) Terrane - Carbonate Shelf Original map source: Connecticut Geological and Natural History Survey, DEP, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, 2000, Bedrock Geology of Connecticut, shapefile, scale 1:50,000 Lithology: Major:{schist,phyllite} Reference: Horton, J.D., C.A. San Juan, and D.B. Stoeser. The State Geologic Map Compilation (SGMC) geodatabase of the conterminous United States. doi: 10.3133/ds1052. U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1052. [133] |
Data and map coding provided by Macrostrat.org, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
References
Sort by
Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)Shepard, Charles U. (1837), A Report on the Geological Survey of Connecticut. Hamlem, New Haven.
Holley. (1877), Notes on the Salisbury Iron Mines and Works. T. A. I. M. E.: 6: 220.
Hobbs, William Herbert. (1907), The Iron Ores of the Salisbury District of Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Economic Geology: 2: 153-181.
Schairer, J. F. (1931), The Minerals of Connecticut. State Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 51.
Elwell, Wilbur J. (1936), Mineral Collecting by Hydroplane. Rocks and Minerals: 11(6): 92-3.
Januzzi, Ronald E. (1976), Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State. Taylor Associates Mineralogical Press, Danbury.
Skehan, James W. (2008), Roadside Geology of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Mountain Press, Missuola, Montana: 252.
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Salisbury Mine, Salisbury District, Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, USA