Talache Mine and Lucky Joe Property
The Lucky Joe is a gold-silver property located in Bonner County, ID. The property includes the upper levels of the historic Talache Mine, as well as about 1,500 feet of the Little Joe Vein (the mineralization source at Talache), including its surface exposure.
Exploration History
The first claims were staked in the area in the early 1890’s. In 1922,
the Talache mine 
was developed and production was initiated, continuing until
late 1926. Although no accurate record exists of total production, the Talache
mine produced silver and some gold, lead, and copper. Zinc, although present,
was not recovered. The operation may have ceased due to the decreasing silver
price and the fact that the mineralized zone was found to extend off of the
Talache property along strike.
In 1964, the Silver Butte Mining Co. was formed to explore the Talache area, and approximately 2,300 feet of drifting and cross-cutting along with 2,400 feet of diamond drilling were carried out approximately 1 mile to the north of the current Lucky Joe Claims. Cominco American, Inc leased the property from Silver Butte and Imperial Silver in 1969. Cominco held the properties through 1971 and completed approximately 5,000 feet of diamond drilling. Subsequently all claims were dropped.