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Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA

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Ref.: USGS Bulletin 885.

The Lordsburg District is located in the extreme northern part of the Pyramid Mountains. It is an elongate District which trends N-S and is about seven miles long by three miles wide. Latitude-longitude and UTM location is for the Eighty-Five Mine, one of the largest mines in the district.

This is the most important district in Hidalgo County in terms of total production value and the 4th ranking district in New Mexico for copper production. Total value of production from 1870 to 1975 has been estimated at 60 million dollars. Average ore grade at the Eighty-Five Mine was 2.8% Cu, 1.23 oz Ag/ton, and 0.11 oz Au/ton.


The northern part of this district contains deposits of the copper-tourmaline class of veins which are the most productive deposits of this type in the United States. Ore occurs in E- to NE-striking veins but the largest ore bodies are found in the NE-striking veins. The Emerald vein, at the Eighty-Five Mine, has been mined continuously for a strike length of more than 4000 feet and a vertical depth of about 2000 feet. The average width of the Emerald Vein is about 6.5 feet.

Exposed rocks in the district are extrusive and intrusive volcanics ranging in age from Upper Cretaceous to Pliocene but consisting chiefly of basaltic andesite flows intruded by a porphyritic granodiorite stock. Major faults trend N-S along the margins of the Pyramid Mountains.

This district contains some of the deepest workings in New Mexico and includes several well-developed mines which exceed 2000 feet in depth. The most extensive workings are in the Eighty-Five Mine, the Bonney Mine and the Atwood-Henry Clay Mine. Although mainly an underground mining district, some small open pit operations have been attempted.




Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities


Mineral List:
  		•  Acanthite
    Ag
     
    2
    		S
    Reference: [USGS Map I-1310-B Mineral Deposit Map Silver City 1x2 Quad]
  		•  Actinolite
    ☐Ca
     
    2
    		(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    5
    		(Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    22
    		)(OH)
     
    2
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Albite
    var: Andesine
    (Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Albite
    var: Oligoclase
    (Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  'Albite-Anorthite Series'
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  'Amphibole Group'
    Reference: [P Cristofono collection, 2008]
    Site Photo
    Bluebird Mine, Virginia District, Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © 2008 Peter Cristofono
  		•  Amphibole Group
    var: Uralite
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Ankerite
    Ca(Fe
    2+
     
    		 ,Mg,Mn
    2+
     
    		)(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Anorthite
    var: Labradorite
    (Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  'Apatite'
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Arsenopyrite
    FeAsS - (Fe
     
    0.90
    		Co
     
    0.10
    		)AsS
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Augite
    (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		,Ti)[(Si,Al)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Azurite
    Cu
     
    3
    		[OH|CO
     
    3
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [Min Rec 20:1 p57]
    Site Photo
    Eighty-Five Mine (85 Mine; Superior Mine; Dundee Mine; Jim Crow Mine), Virginia District, Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky
  		•  Baryte
    BaSO
     
    4
    Reference: [Min Rec 20:1 p57]
  		•  Biotite
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Bornite
    Cu
     
    5
    		FeS
     
    4
    Reference: [USGS Prof Paper 68 The Ore Deposits of New Mexico; Copper Handbook 1911; Bull 167 University of New Mexico, December, 1929 Vol. IV. No. 2]
  		•  Brochantite
    Cu
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|SO
     
    4
    		]
    Habit: Tiny hemispherical-shaped aggregates
    Colour: Bright emerald-green
    Fluorescence: None.
    Description: Hemispherical-shaped aggregates in cavities.
    Reference: [Chester S. Lemanski, Jr.]
  		•  Calcite
    CaCO
     
    3
    Reference: [C. Lemanski, Jr. collection (6893CL).]
    Site Photo
    Bluebird Mine, Virginia District, Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © 2008 Peter Cristofono
  		•  Cerussite
    PbCO
     
    3
    Reference: [Robert E. Walstrom; Chester S. Lemanski, Jr.]
  		•  Chalcanthite
    CuSO
     
    4
    		·5H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  'Chalcedony'
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Chalcocite
    Cu
     
    2
    		S
    Reference: [Copper Handbook 1911]
  		•  Chalcopyrite
    CuFeS
     
    2
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference; Bull 167 University of New Mexico, December, 1929 Vol. IV. No. 2]
  		•  Chlorargyrite
    AgCl
    Reference: [USGS Bull 885]
  		•  'Chlorite Group'
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Chrysocolla
    (Cu,Al)
     
    2
    		H
     
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    4
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
    Site Photo
    Virginia District, Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © 2008 Peter Cristofono
  		•  Copper
    Cu
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Covellite
    CuS
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Cuprite
    Cu
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
    Site Photo
    Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © 2008 Jesse Crawford
  		•  Digenite
    Cu
     
    9
    		S
     
    5
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Dravite
    [Na][Mg
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Epidote
    {Ca
     
    2
    		}{Al
     
    2
    		Fe
    3+
     
    		}[O|OH|SiO
     
    4
    		|Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Fluorite
    CaF
     
    2
    Reference: [USGS Bull 885]
  		•  Galena
    PbS
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Gold
    Au
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Hematite
    Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Hematite
    var: Specularite
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Hemimorphite
    Zn
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Min Rec 20:1 p57]
  		•  Jarosite
    KFe
    3+
     
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|SO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [NMBMMR OFR 166]
  		•  Kaolinite
    Al
     
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    4
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Libethenite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[OH|PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Limonite
    FeO(OH)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Description: Replaced tree (mining timber?).
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Magnetite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Malachite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|CO
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [Min Rec 20:1 p57]
    Site Photo
    Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © 2008 Peter Cristofono
  		•  'Manganese Oxides
    var: Manganese Dendrites'
    Reference: [P Cristofono collection, 2008]
    Site Photo
    Bluebird Mine, Virginia District, Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © 2008 Peter Cristofono
  		•  Massicot
    PbO
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Molybdenite
    MoS
     
    2
    Reference: [USGS Prof Paper 68 The Ore Deposits of New Mexico]
  		•  Mottramite
    Pb(Cu,Zn)[OH|VO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Olivenite ?
    Cu
     
    2
    		[OH|AsO
     
    4
    		]
    Habit: Acicular; radial-fibrous
    Colour: Dark green
    Description: Found in a single boulder as 360° radial-fibrous structures in a very narrow open fracture surface.
    Reference: [Eckhard Stuart]
  		•  'Olivine'
    (Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		[SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Orthoclase
    K[AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Powellite
    Ca[MoO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Pseudomalachite
    Cu
     
    5
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Pyrite
    FeS
     
    2
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Pyrolusite
    MnO
     
    2
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Pyromorphite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    Habit: Tiny, barrel-shaped
    Colour: Very light tan
    Description: Found as crusts of tiny crystals in open fracture surfaces.
    Reference: [Robert E. Walstrom.]
  		•  Quartz
    SiO
     
    2
    Reference: [USGS Prof Paper 68 The Ore Deposits of New Mexico]
    Site Photo
    Lordsburg District, Pyramid Mts, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky
  		•  Quartz
    var: Chert
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Rhodochrosite
    MnCO
     
    3
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Sanidine
    K[AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Saponite
    Ca
     
    0.25
    		(Mg,Fe)
     
    3
    		(Si,Al)
     
    4
    		O
     
    10
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  'Sericite'
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Siderite
    FeCO
     
    3
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Siderite
    var: Manganoan Siderite
    (Fe,Mn)CO
     
    3
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Silver
    Ag
    Reference: [USGS Map I-1310-B Mineral Deposit Map Silver City 1x2 Quad]
  		•  Smithsonite
    ZnCO
     
    3
    Reference: [Min Rec 20:1 p57]
  		•  Sphalerite
    (Zn,Fe
    2+
     
    		)S
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Stephanite
    Ag
     
    5
    		SbS
     
    4
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Tenorite
    CuO
    Reference: [Copper Handbook 1911]
  		•  Tetrahedrite
    (Cu,Fe,Ag,Zn)
     
    12
    		Sb
     
    4
    		S
     
    13
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  Titanite
    CaTi[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]
  		•  'Tourmaline'
    Reference: [NMGS 21st Field Conference]
  		•  Vanadinite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(VO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [2008 New Mexico Mineral Symposium abstracts ]
  		•  Wulfenite
    Pb[MoO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [USGS Map I-1310-B Mineral Deposit Map Silver City 1x2 Quad]
  		•  Zircon
    Zr[SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.]


    75 entries listed. 57 valid minerals.

    Localities in this Region:
    USA
     
    • New Mexico
      • Hidalgo Co.
        • Pyramid Mts
          • Lordsburg District
              • Gary

    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!
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Jobs in New Mexico, 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 2nd Nov 2009 20:50:32