Project Summary
Historical resource estimated on the property of 90,000 tons averaging 3.8% copper, with additional historical estimates indicating 900 tons of ore averaging 4.17% copper in the main shaft and 1,175 tons of dump material averaging 3.61% copper. Previous production yielded grades of up to 10.7% copper and average gold grades of 0.05 oz/ton. Geoelectrical investigations identified a major polarizable zone at least 5,000 feet long extending to a depth of 980 feet directly through the main shaft, indicating significant depth and strike continuity. Historical workings are established on the property, which is well-positioned for modern exploration.
The American Eagle (also historically referred to as the New American Eagle) project is located in San Bernardino County, California, approximately 13 road miles north of the town of Vidal, within the Whipple Mountains.
$24,000 + 2% NSROwner financing and payment plans available on request.
Geology
The project targets a mineralized fault zone striking N. 35° W. and dipping approximately 80° SW within foliated Precambrian gneiss. The fault is followed by a highly chloritized bimodal porphyritic dike, with quartz-sericite alteration extending a short distance into the adjacent wallrock. The main vein has been reported to vary from 10 to 20 feet wide and can be traced for approximately 2,000 feet along strike, with several smaller parallel veins identified nearby.
Metals contained within the deposit primarily include copper and gold, with secondary silver. Identified ore minerals at depth include pyrite, chalcopyrite, and chalcocite, while shallower oxidized zones contain chrysocolla, malachite, and azurite. Surface outcrops are highly leached and chloritically altered.
In addition to the main vein workings, geoelectrical induced polarization (IP) surveys have defined a robust, southeast-trending polarizable zone at least 5,000 feet in length. This zone passes directly through the main American Eagle shaft and extends to a depth of at least 980 feet, representing substantial exploration potential along strike and at depth.
History
Developed primarily in the early 20th century, the American Eagle property was historically operated via two shafts, one reportedly reaching 300 feet deep, along with several cuts, prospect pits, and concrete millsite foundations. Early production prior to 1918 includes 700 tons of ore averaging about 8% copper, and 571 tons containing 10.7% copper. USBM files record intermittent production during 1912, 1918, 1919, and 1935, which averaged 0.05 oz/ton gold, 0.12 oz/ton silver, and 6.2% copper.
Geologists from the California Bureau of Mines in 1948 estimated a resource of 90,000 tons averaging 3.8% copper.
Later geological and geophysical evaluations by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines integrated aeromagnetic, gravity, and geoelectrical surveys. These investigations confirmed the presence of the deep polarizable body beneath the historical workings, highlighting the project’s potential for targeted drilling. They concluded “because of the length and depth of the polarizable structure and past production, the mine warrants further exploration.”
| Source / zone | Tons | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| California Bureau of Mines (1948) resource | 90,000 | 3.8% Cu |
| Main shaft ore | 900 | 4.17% Cu |
| Dump material | 1,175 | 3.61% Cu |
| Pre-1918 production | 700 | ~8% Cu |
| Pre-1918 production | 571 | 10.7% Cu |