The Monon Mines were productive from roughly 1878 to the early 1890’s, shipping high grade silver ores. After the silver panic in 1893, the shift of the mine turned to the free-milling gold. While not as plentiful as the silver, the gold was recognized in the mine and in good quantities. The mine produced gold ore from 1893-1910 when litigation between partners brought the work to a halt. The litigation carried on into 1914, and by that time the operation was bankrupt. The mine was re-opened in or around 1960 when two individuals began working at high grading the gold veins that are easily visible in the mine. They reported ore reserves showing as much as 4 ounces to the ton, but there is no record of any shipments made from the mine at that time. Since then it has been held by a few small companies, none of which have done much to work it.

The mine is situated in central Colorado and boasts excellent, mild weather year round. The city of Salida is nearby and Del Norte is close for fuel, food and lodging. The roads to the claim are in good repair and can be easily travelled with a high clearance 4WD vehicle. A small river crossing is required to park up in front of the mine.

This area does see some snow in the December-February time frame, but very little of that actually sticks. Summers can be warm, up into the 90s and Spring and fall are the ideal seasons. It’s a beautiful claim, with good greenery, situated on a year round flowing stream.

The two mines on the claim are well documented and accessible. A very stout gate was once in place on the lower entrance, and we would highly recommend to the new owner to weld in some hinges and repair and re-secure the mine. With the drive up access, the mine could be used to hold all of your mining equipment.

Easy access with a 4WD. Just 19 miles outside of Del Norte, Colorado, USA.

The Monon is a full 20 acre lode mining claim. An excellent county road cuts out of Del Norte into the Mining district. There are a lot of roads that wander all over and none of the mines are easy to see until you are on top of them. The Monon is one of the more significant producers in the region and the workings reflect this. There is extensive tunneling and sampling that has been done. The claim covers all of the workings of at least 2 adits, one open, and one collapsed, and more than a few prospects.

Water is abundant in the wide stream just below the mine as it cuts though the claim. There is substantial foliage but none of it very large. Trees and smaller brush are to be expected.

The tailings on the claim are quite large and what would be expected from the inner workings of the site. The tailings have been separated out, with the gold ores staged out near the front of the lower entrance, silver ores staged a bit farther north and the junk rock discarded to the south and under the tipple for support. This is a large mine has easy access and is ready to be worked; either under casual use or with machinery and equipment. GRE offers Notice of Operation assistance and submission.

USGS information on the mine(s)
Materials – Type of material
Galena – Ore
Sphalerite – Ore
Host rock
Plutonic Rock – Mafic Intrusive Rock – Diorite
Controls for ore emplacement
Fractures And Subradiating Dikes Associated With Emplacement Of Embargo Stock
Discovery year
1962
Comments on the production information
USBM reports estimated production of 10,000 tons of ore
Commodities:
Silver – Primary
Gold – Primary
Lead – Primary
Zinc – Primary

The Monon is one of the more significant producers in the region and the workings reflect this. The Monon Mines were productive from roughly 1878 to the early 1890’s, shipping high grade silver ores. After the silver panic in 1893, the shift of the mine turned to the free-milling gold. While not as plentiful as the silver, the gold was recognized in the mine and in good quantities. The mine produced gold ore from 1893-1910 when litigation between partners brought the work to a halt. The litigation carried on into 1914, and by that time the operation was bankrupt. The mine was re-opened in or around 1960 when two individuals began working at high grading the gold veins that are easily visible in the mine. They reported ore reserves showing as much as 4 ounces to the ton, but there is no record of any shipments made from the mine at that time. Since then it has been held by a few small companies, none of which have done much to work it.