Description:
The original Oak Springs Mine, known as Plot 10, was developed on a lease that was issued for carnotite
mining in 1942. Drilling by the US. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in 1952 and 1953 located additional ore
bodies behind the existing mine, and on a contiguous claim, where a second mine was developed. This mine was
known as Cato Sells Oak Springs Mine for the Navajo Indian that held the claim. These interconnected mines are
in the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation of Upper Jurassic age. The contiguous ore bodies represent
the largest uranium deposit in the Arizona portion of the eastern Carrizo Mountains mining area.
Although Scarborough (1980, p.26) included a map of the Oak Springs mines in his report, no history of the
operations was included. This report, from the author field notes etc., briefly summarizes the activities at the two
properties.