Society Girl Mine
Moyie, Fort Steele Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
Key Information
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The Society Girl Mine is located in Moyie, British Columbia, Canada, near Moyie Lake, about 26 km south of Cranbrook.
It is known for producing pyromorphite, cerussite, and wulfenite, with lead, silver, and zinc also extracted.
The mine’s geology involves quartzites and argillites, with a vein system hosting the minerals.
Mining occurred mainly from 1900–1920 and 1948–1952, with a total output of 2,984 tonnes of ore.
Moyie has historical landmarks like a 1907 fire hall and St. Peter’s Church, with a continental climate of cold winters and warm summers.
Geographic Location
The Society Girl Mine sits in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada, on the eastern shore of Moyie Lake, about 2.5 km southeast of the small community of Moyie and 26 km south of Cranbrook. This area is part of the scenic Kootenay Rockies, known for its natural beauty and mining history. Nearby, the St. Eugene Mine, a significant silver-lead producer, adds to the region’s mineral legacy.
Minerals Produced
This mine is a favorite among collectors for its pyromorphite, which forms in vibrant olive-green to yellow-green crystals with a striking luster. It also produced cerussite and wulfenite, both rare and beautiful. Economically, it yielded lead, silver, and zinc from galena and sphalerite, making it a rich site for both commercial and collector interest.
Geological and Mining History
Geologically, the mine is underlain by quartzites and argillites of the Helikian Middle Aldridge Formation (Purcell Supergroup). A north-west striking vein, dipping 60° south, hosts the mineralization, with oxidation near the surface creating cerussite and pyromorphite, while deeper levels contain galena and sphalerite. Mining occurred in two main periods: intermittently from 1900 to 1920 and more steadily from 1948 to 1952, with a total production of 2,984 tonnes, including 432,052 grams of silver, 499,655 kg of lead, and 23,914 kg of zinc, shipped to Trail, BC, for processing.
Local Culture and Climate
Moyie, the nearby community, has a rich mining history reflected in landmarks like the 1907 fire hall, St. Peter’s Church, and a cemetery. The name Moyie may derive from the French "mouille," meaning "wet," fitting its lakeside location. The climate is continental, with cold winters (January highs around -1°C/30°F, lows around -10°C/14°F) and warm summers (July highs around 24°C/75°F, lows around 9°C/48°F), with even precipitation year-round, supporting the region’s lush forests.