Sparta Lead Mine

The Waits Lead Mine is near Sparta, Kentucky. The site was first discovered in 1904 by Mr. Frank K. Kavanaugh, Mr. E. T. Kavanaugh, Judge W. S. Pryor, Mr. R. R. Wilson. The Waits Lead Mine was closed at the time of data entry with no known plans to re-open. Past operations took place from 1904 to 1940. Production size when active was considered to be small. The ore mined is composed of galena, sphalerite and barite with waste material consisting primarily of calcite. The ore body is linear in form reaching 0.91 meters (2.99 feet) in width. The host rock in this area is limestone from the Upper Ordovician epoch 458.40 to 443.80 million years ago. The Lexington Plain of the Interior Plains characterize the geomorphology of the surrounding area.

Workings of 1940 included 475 feet of open cutting and a 45 foot deep shaft, partially filled back with waste rock from the open cut, and a small jig and crusher house over the shaft and open cut.

Ore was approximately 45% Barite, 35% galena, 15% Sphalerite and 5% calcite.

https://thediggings.com/mines/usgs10080800