Galena Complex
| Galena Mine | |
| The Galena Mine is the second-most prolific primary silver mine in United States history. It is located in a dominant royalty-free land position in the prolific, mining-friendly Silver Valley region. Originally started in 1887 as a silver-lead mine, the tetrahedrite-dominated Silver Vein was discovered in 1953 and mining of silver-copper ores became the mainstay production source for the next 50 years. The Galena Complex is located two miles west of the town of Wallace, Idaho. The property covers 10,931 contiguous acres, over an area about nine miles long east to west, and two miles wide north to south. Geology The Galena area is one of high relief and rugged terrain, with many slopes at angles of 30 per cent or greater. The property is located on metamorphosed Precambrian sedimentary rocks of the Revett Formation, which is part of the Belt Supergroup. The vein mineralization is of two distinct types: silver-copper mineralization containing tetrahedrite and lesser chalcopyrite as the principal economic minerals; and silver-lead mineralization dominated by argentiferous galena. Mining & Processing The Galena Complex utilizes four shafts, with the deepest shaft extending to 5,825 feet below surface. Development has occurred on 13 levels, spaced 200 or 300 vertical feet apart. It produces a silver-copper flotation concentrate from tetrahedrite-bearing ore, as well as a silver-lead concentrate from galena-bearing ore. The Galena Mill of 800 ton-per-day capacity treats silver-copper ores, while the 500 ton-per-day Coeur Mill processes silver-lead ore. The Galena Mill has an additional 300 tonne-per-day circuit, which is currently idle, but could be used for either silver-copper ore or silver-lead ore in the future. | |
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