The Vaucluse gold property has been worked intermittently since gold was discovered in 1832. The latest operation was carried on by the V-M Corporation from March 1935 to November 1938, producing 26,452 tons of ore of \$143,760 gross value, of which \$91,569.36 was won in 1938.
The host rock is a quartz-sericite-chlorite schist. The workings lie wholly within a well-defined shear zone up to 40 feet in width, which has been traced along the surface for several miles. The shear zone strikes N. 40 degrees -60 degrees E. and is conformable with the schistosity of the enclosing rock.
The ore is in shoots that pitch NE. at angles ranging between 30 degrees and 70 degrees and conform to fluting in the shear zone. The ore occurs along the walls of the shear zone and the location of the shoots was controlled, partly at least, by pre-mineral fractures.
Quartz, sericite, and ankerite make up most of the gangue and chlorite is abundant in the enclosing rock. Abundant pyrite is the only important sulphide; some chalcopyrite and galena are generally present. Gold is the only mineral of economic value and is intimately associated with the pyrite.
The ore was milled on the property and flotation concentrates were shipped to a smelter. Direct mining, milling, and shipping cost per ton, from December 1935 to November 1938, was $4.56. Approximately 4,500 feet of core drilling was done below the 300-foot level, which indicated about the same conditions as those present above this level.
