Oregon Gulch in Mineral County, Montana: A Summary of Placer Gold Mining

Oregon Gulch is a historically significant site for placer gold mining in Mineral County, Montana, primarily known as a tributary to the highly productive Cedar Creek.

Historical Context:

• Part of a Major Gold District: Oregon Gulch is part of the Cedar Creek District, one of the most important historical placer gold regions in Mineral County. Gold was discovered along Cedar Creek in 1869, leading to the Cedar Creek Gold Rush.

• Significant Production: Placer mines along Cedar Creek and its tributaries, including Oregon Gulch, were very productive. Estimates of early gold production from the Cedar Creek area range from $2 million to $10 million (in historic value, or about 96,758 to nearly 500,000 ounces), with operations continuing intermittently for decades.

• Placer Gold Characteristics: The gold recovered from the Cedar Creek district, including its tributaries like Oregon Gulch, was noted for its high purity, often being 0.960 to 0.970 fine, and sometimes reaching 0.982 fine.

• Mining Activity: Oregon Gulch has been home to various placer claims, which have been intermittently active over the years, using methods generally employed in historical and modern placer mining.

Placer Gold Claims Today:

• Continuing Activity: Prospecting and small-scale mining for placer gold remain a part of the county's heritage and economy, and some claims along Oregon Gulch may still be actively worked or held.

• Regulation: Any current gold mining activity in Oregon Gulch, particularly on federal land (like National Forest land, which is common in Mineral County), is subject to multiple state and federal regulations concerning placer gold claims and environmental protection. These typically include:

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Rules: For mineral entry, location, and maintenance of unpatented mining claims on public domain lands.

  • Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Regulations for hard rock and placer mining, including the requirement of a Small Miner Exclusion Statement (SMES) for operations disturbing less than five acres (with a reclamation bond often required for small placer operations).

  • Local Conservation District ("310 Law"): Permits are required for any work in or near a perennial stream to ensure protection of the streambed and adjoining land.

In summary, Oregon Gulch is a historical placer gold location in Mineral County, Montana, with a legacy tied to the rich Cedar Creek gold district, and any current mining activity is governed by specific federal and state permitting and reclamation laws.