United Verde Mine (The Big Hole; Big Hole property; Hull Mine; Hopewell tunnel; Patented claim 3480; Patented claim 2812; Patented claims 3348), Jerome, Verde District, Black Hills (Black Hill Range), Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA

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MRDS database Dep. ID #10109023, MRDS ID #M002664; and, Dep. ID #10186256, MAS ID #0040251537.

A former surface and underground Cu-Pb-Au-Ag-Zn mine located in the center sec. 22, T.16N., R.2E. (Clarkdale 7.5 minute topo map). Discovered 1875. Started about 1876. First produced 1883. Claims extend into the NW¼, the N½SW¼ and the W½W½NE¼ of sec. 22, and the S½SW¼ of sec. 15.

Mineralization is a steeply-dipping, cylindrical body approximately 700 to 800 feet (215 to 246 meters) in diameter, extending down to a depth of 2,400 feet (or 3,100 feet if calculated from the level of the Precambrian peneplain). This was perhaps the world's largest pyritic sulfide orebody.

This mine was the site of a sulfide ore mine fire in which the sulfide ores burned, forming a suite of new species. Mining operations included various mechanisms to control the fire and its resulting fumes while the burning ore was mined.

Workings throughout the period the property was in operation totalled 81 miles of underground workings. Workings reached to the 3,515 level. The workings included a total of 8 shafts, of which 2 were the principal shafts, the No. 3 shaft collar was at about 5,509 feet of altitude and decended vertically to the 1950 foot level; the No. 4 shaft collar was at about 5,530 feet of altitude and went to the 1000 foot level. The 1000 foot level tunnel was the main haulage adit (Hopewell tunnel = 6,600 feet long). There was a 1,200 foot long adit at the 500 foot level. The No. 6 shaft went from the 500 foot level to the 1950 level. The No. 5 shaft went from the 800 level to the 2500 level. Production was 8,200,000 tons of ore to the end of 1918; or, 20,314,000 tons of ore (1880-1930). The ore yielded 1,959,098,900 pounds of Cu, 1,009,800 oz. Au and 34,586,000 oz. Ag.

References:
Econ Geol. (1992) 87:29-49