Placitas Placer District — Sandoval County

McLemore (1994) lists Placitas among 36 New Mexico mining districts containing placer gold (NMBGMR Resource Map 24, district DIS178). Estimated placer production: trace to small-scale placer production (est. 100 oz) from 1828–1991 statewide context (662,000 oz total NM placer production). Production period: 1904-1961. District cumulative production (all commodities): $2,400. Deposit types: RGR, sedimentary-copper, Vein and replacement deposits in Proterozoic rocks, placer gold. Also known as: Algodones, Bernalillo, Capulin Peak, Juan Tabo, La Luz, La Madera, Las Placitas, Montezuma, Negro placers, Sandia, Sandia, Tejon. Spanish mining in 1500-1600s Placer gold occurs as native gold and electrum in incised valleys and alluvial fans. Most economic placers were discovered by 1900; recreational panning may find fine colors — verify land status before prospecting. Coordinates approximate the district centroid from NMBGMR Resource Map 24 GIS (DIS178).