Peterson Mine: Sphalerite Rockhounding in Hickory County, Missouri

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Hickory County

State

Missouri

Nearest road

County Road 182

Postcode

65668

Coordinates

37.92597, -93.26860

Geology at Peterson Mine

This spot sits on Smithville Dolomite, Powell Dolomite, Cotter Dolomite, Jefferson City Dolomite, mapped as dolostone that formed roughly 485 to 470 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Mapped unit

Smithville Dolomite, Powell Dolomite, Cotter Dolomite, Jefferson City Dolomite

Age

485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)

Rock types

dolostone

Elevation

910 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Peterson Mine

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, POMME DE TERRE DAM station (3 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Peterson Mine

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

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