Mindat Logo

Papago District (Sierrita District), Sierrita Mts, Pima Co., Arizona, USA

‡Ref.: Ransome, F.L. (1922) Ore deposits of the Sierrita Mountains, Pima County, Arizona, in Contributions to Economic Geology (Short Papers and Preliminary Reports), 1921 - Part I.--Metals and Nonmetals except Fuels: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 725, p. 407-428.

Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of Arizona: 102.

Keith, Stanton B. (1974), Arizona Bureau of Geology & Mineral Technology, Geologidcal Survey Branch Bull. 189, Index of Mining Properties in Pima County, Arizona: 131 (Table 4).

Drewes, Harald D., and Cooper, J.R. (1973) Reconnaissance geologic map of the west side of the Sierrita Mountains, Palo Alto Ranch quadrangle, Pima County, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-538, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000.

Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd. ed.: 400.

A Ag-Pb-Cu-Zn-Mn-Mo-F-U mining area located in T. 17-18 S., R.10-11E., on the West side of the Sierrita Mountains.

Mineralization is varied: (1) Bands of folded and faulted Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary and volcanic formations intruded by Mesozoic and Laramide granitic intrusives. Spotty base and precious metal deposits, largely oxidized, with minor local molybdenum and traces of uranium, in irregular replacement orebodies or along faults and fractures; (2) Gold placers; and, (3) Fluorspar along fault veins.

Geologically, the district consists of roughly banded strips of partly metamorphosed Paleozoic quartzite, limestone, and dolomite; Mesozoic sediments and volcanics; Mesozoic granitic intrusives; and some offshoots of the large Laramide granitic pluton that makes up a large part of the Sierrita Mountains. These formations have been folded, faulted, and thrusted into a structural complex as revealed in the quadrangle mapping of Drewes & Cooper (1973).

Workings include mainly small mines and prospects worked sporadically since the 1870's. Total estimated and reported mine production would be some 5,000 tons of ore containing about 30,000 oz. of Ag, 400 tons of lead, 26 tons of copper, 1 ton of zinc, and 100 oz. of gold. About 1,000 oz. of gold may have been recovered from placers and a small amount of fluorspar has been shipped.

Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities
Acanthite
Actinolite
Aegirine
Anglesite
Azurite
Baryte
Brochantite
Calcite
Cerussite
Chalcocite
var: Argentiferous Chalcocite
Chalcopyrite
Chlorargyrite
'Chlorite Group'
Chrysocolla
Covellite
Epidote
Fluorite
Galena
var: Argentiferous Galena
'Garnet'
Gold
Kasolite ?
Limonite
Linarite
Magnetite
Malachite
'Marble'
Molybdenite
Muscovite
var: Sericite

Nepheline
Perovskite
'Psilomelane'
Pyrite
Pyrolusite
Quartz
var: Jasper

Sanidine
var: Barium-Sanidine

'Scapolite'
Schorl
Smithsonite
Sphalerite
Tetrahedrite
Titanite
'Tourmaline'
Tremolite
Uraninite
var: Pitchblende

Wulfenite


48 entries listed. 34 valid minerals.

Localities in this Region

USA
USA

The above list contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.
This page is currently not sponsored. To sponsor this page click here.


Mineral and/or Locality
Search Google
 
Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Jobs in Arizona, USA Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 21st Jun 2011 19:09:32
Mineral and Locality Search
Mineral:
and/or Locality:
Options
Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
Hide Social Media Links
Slideshow frame delay seconds