Mineral Resources of the Kelly-Cayuse Study Area, Shoshone, Clearwater, & Idaho Counties, Idaho, Including Portions of Hoodoo, Moose Mountain, Bighorn-East Weitas, & Weir-Post Office Creek Roadless Areas.
The Bureau of Mines conducted mineral investigations in the 464,000- acre Kelly-Cayuse Study Area of Idaho during 1990 and 1991. Approximately 1,100 mining claims have been located in or adjacent to the study area; about 460 are current and 9 others patented. At least 1,700 ounces of gold and 290 ounces of silver have been produced from placers in or adjacent to the study area. During the Bureau investigation of specific sites, 504 rock and alluvial samples were collected to delimit mineralization. Subeconomic lode resources of gold exist at the Driessel prospect. A new gold occurrence was found near Shale Mountain, at a mineralized area discovered by the Idaho Geological Survey. Small-scale suction dredging of placer gold is occurring; resources of placer gold that would be marginally economic for large-scale dredge mining occur along Moose Creek and North Fork Clearwater River. Other occurrences of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, garnet, titanium, rare-earth elements, silica, stone, limestone, and dolostone are not economic. Sand and gravel will be mined locally for road metal. Hot springs occur in the Weir-Post Office Creek portion of the study area.