Circular 604
Mines in the Illinois Portion of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District
F. Brett Denny,1 W. John Nelson,1 Jeremy R. Breeden,1 and Ross C. Lillie2
1Illinois State Geological Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign,Illinois
2North Star Minerals, Traverse City, Michigan
Suggested citation:
Denny, F.B., W.J. Nelson, J.R. Breeden, and R.C. Lillie, 2020, Mines in the Illinois portion of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District: Illinois State Geological Survey, Circular 604, 73 p. and map.
Abstract
This report compiles into a cohesive document details of the individual mines within the Illinois portion of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District (IKFD). This document also contains brief sections concerning the mining methods, geology, historical production figures, and theories of the origin of the ore deposits. In 2012, the Kentucky Geological Survey produced a map of the IKFD that covers only the Kentucky portion. The mine location map that accompanies this document was designed to augment the Kentucky fluorspar mine map. During research activities for this project, we gained access to confidential unpublished files from several mining companies. Maps, exploration reports, drill logs, and production figures were scanned and are available upon request at the Prairie Research Institute. Although the last mines in Illinois ceased operations in 1995, there is potential for future mining activities in deeper, relatively unexplored strata. The authors hope this report and the scanned documents will be helpful for future exploration activities and to other interested parties.
Introduction
Production History
Geology of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District
Mining Methods
Mineral Subdistricts and Individual Mines
Subdistricts
References