Arondo Mine (Orondo; Arando; Oroanda), Reilly (Anthony Mill ruins), Argus Mts (Argus Range), Inyo County, California, USAi

Regional Level Types
Arondo Mine (Orondo; Arando; Oroanda)	Mine
Reilly (Anthony Mill ruins)	- not defined -
Argus Mts (Argus Range)	Mountain Range
Inyo County	County
California	State
USA	Country

A former Au-Fe mine located in sec. 30, T23S, R43E, MDM, 11.2 km (7.0 miles) S of Reilly, along Orondo Canyon, on Bureau of Land Management wilderness land (Argus Range Wilderness). Property consisted of 28 unpatented claims. Operated intermittently by various owners and lessees. MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 10 meters.

Mineralization is hosted in granite. The ore body strikes E-W and dips 54S at a thickness of 12.19 meters. Controls for ore emplacement included a shear zone. Brecciated quartz and stringers mixed with talcose and clay gouge, 6 to 40 feet thick. Gold occurs in very fine state, finely divided. Local rocks include Mesozoic granitic rocks, unit 3 (Sierra Nevada, Death Valley area, Northern Mojave Desert and Transverse Ranges).

Workings include underground openings (see the sketch map in Tucker & Sampson [1938], of the underground workings). First developed in the 1890's. The main incline was sunk 55 degrees to a depth of 435 feet with levels at 24, 34, 110, 175, 225 & 310 feet. Explored the East ore body, at least 900 feet long by 40 feet thick. The total amount of underground workings was 7,000 feet from this inclined shaft through 1906. Arando Mines, Inc. developed the Cuba No. 2 incline to 400 feet in 1934, with levels at 100, 200, 300 and 400 feet. There are 60 feet of drifts on the 100 level. 100 feet W of the portal of the tunnel at this level the ore body is 100 feet long and 6 to 30 feet thick was developed. 1,100 feet of drifts were driven on the 300 level. 225 feet E of the shaft, a cut was made on the ore body 500 feet long, averaging 20 feet thick. On the 400 level, a crosscut was driven 90 feet N. The property was reopned in 1939, with drifts 500 feet E to 3 ore shoots from the Cuba No. 2 shaft. Ore shoots, each 100 feet long, average 5 feet thick, and were stoped. In 1940, the shaft was extended to the 500 foot level, and drifted 500 feet E.

Production data are found in: Tucker, W. Burling & Reid J. Sampson (1938); Norman, L.A. & Richard M. Stewart (1951).

An estimated 10,000 tons of ore were mined between the 400 and 300 foot levels, averaging $6.40/ton (period values), and 10,000 tons above the 300 level, averaging $6.00/ton (period values) in gold. In later production years, a minimum of 90% of Au recovered from the ore. Bullion was 95% pure, or 950 fine.

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS:	10103497

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References