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Red Mountain Mine (Red Mountain Copper prospect; Gem Mine; Carlton property; Ten Grand Mine; Red Mountain project), Red Mountain, Patagonia Mountains, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USAi
Regional Level Types
Red Mountain Mine (Red Mountain Copper prospect; Gem Mine; Carlton property; Ten Grand Mine; Red Mountain project)Mine
Red MountainMountain
Patagonia MountainsMountain Range
Santa Cruz CountyCounty
ArizonaState
USACountry

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
31° 30' 12'' North , 110° 43' 6'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
31.50333,-110.71833
GeoHash:
G#: 9t970x125
GRN:
N22W67
Type:
Mine
KΓΆppen climate type:
BSk : Cold semi-arid (steppe) climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Patagonia890 (2017)5.4km
Kino Springs136 (2011)17.8km
Beyerville177 (2011)19.7km
Sonoita818 (2015)20.4km
Rio Rico18,962 (2011)24.7km
Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
ClubLocationDistance
Huachuca Mineral and Gem ClubSierra Vista, Arizona40km
Mindat Locality ID:
53214
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:53214:0
GUID (UUID V4):
305f307a-5a11-40c3-abc1-84e93760e280


A former small surface and underground Cu-Al-Zn-Pb-Mo-Au-K-Clay mine located in the center of the SWΒΌ sec. 21, T22S, R16E, 2.5 miles SE of Patagonia, on National Forest land. Discovered 1970 (Cu). Owned and operated by Kerr-Mc Gee Oil Industries, Inc., Earth Sciences, Inc. (1966). Claims extend into sections 20 and 17, on the northern and eastern slopes of Red Mountain. USBM gives section as 20 and longitude of 110-44-14W.

Mineralization is a porphyry copper deposit with hypogene enrichment of fractured intrusives. Gossan and some oxidized copper on surface indicates surface ozidation and leaching. Felsic volcanic rocks are pervasively altered solfatarically. Ore control was disseminations of chalcopyrite, bornite, and molybdenite in porous fractured intrusives at great depths. Alteration is high pyritic phyllic alteration surrounded by pyritic-argillic and propyllitic alteration. With depth sulphur decreases and changes from near-surface sulphur-rich phyllitic alteration, through weak potassic alteration, to low-sulphur potassic alteration at depth. Alunitization and silicification.

Significant copper mineralization encountered from 3410 feet to 5194 feet below surface. Alunite deposits found near surface in an area of 4000-5000 acres. The average copper and associated molybdenite ore zone thickness is 455 feet. Alunite deposit dimentions: maximum length of 10,000 feet; maximum width of 6000 feet; and a maximum thickness of 800 feet. Structure is a collapse caldera with intrusive source of Cu mineralization. Supergene enriched chalcocite blanket overlies the primary chalcopyrite.

The Red Mountain volcanics have been correlated with the Gringo Gulch Volcanics to the north and west, which give above K/Ar dates. The Red Mountain Volcanics overlie trachyandesite of Meadow Valley dated at 72.1 +/- 2.2 M.Y. (Simons, F.S., 1974). Basal contact between tuffaceous volcanics and underlying trachyandesite is roughly horizontal. The thickness of the Red Mountain Volcanics is estimated at 1500 feet.

Local structures. In the Patagonia Mountains the dominant structural features are major NW-trending, high-angle faults. This includes the Harshaw Creek Fault. The Patagonia Fault is a major NE-trending fault. E-W and N-S-trending faults are found in Tertiary volcanics.

Tectonic elements include the Red Mountain Fault Block with downthrow to the north.

Analytical data, including X-ray, chemical, and thin section data indicate variable tenor of alunite with considerable kaolinite, pyrophyllite, and sericite locally. Pb exceeds 100 ppm in high pyrite alteration zones, diminishing with depth; Mo exceeds 20 ppm throughout phyllic alteration zones; Zn averages 20-100 ppm in a near-surface leached zone; chalcopyrite increases with depth, averaging 0.1-0.7% Cu.

Workings extend to a depth of 138.68 meters. Kerr-McGee conducted deep drilling exploration for Cu ore; Earth Science conducted shallow percussion drilling exploration for alunite. Red Mountain interests comprise 289 unpatented claims (151 under option from W.D. Roper, 45 from A. Desaulles, 11 from J. Yanez, 4 from Carlton Spalding, 93 claimed by Kerr-McGee). Diamond drilling was conducted by Sexton Brothers drilling contractors, Metler Brothers Drilling Co., and the Joy Drilling Co.

Workings included over 10 drill holes for copper exploration, a few over 1000 feet deep, and a 688 foot exploration tunnel into the mountain. Workings on the Ten Grand claim included a 1500 foot tunnel. Alunite exploration consisted of surface drilling only (no mining).

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List


18 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

β“˜ Alunite
Formula: KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Description: Believed to be both primary and secondary.
β“˜ Anhydrite
Formula: CaSO4
β“˜ 'Apatite'
Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
β“˜ 'Biotite'
Formula: K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
β“˜ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
β“˜ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
β“˜ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
β“˜ 'Chlorite Group'
β“˜ Covellite
Formula: CuS
β“˜ Enargite
Formula: Cu3AsS4
β“˜ Epidote
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
β“˜ 'Erionite Subgroup'
Formula: M2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
β“˜ Galena
Formula: PbS
β“˜ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
β“˜ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
β“˜ Hematite var. Specularite
Formula: Fe2O3
β“˜ Kaolinite
Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
β“˜ Magnetite
Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4
β“˜ Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
β“˜ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
β“˜ Muscovite var. Illite
Formula: K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
β“˜ Muscovite var. Sericite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
β“˜ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
β“˜ Pyrophyllite
Formula: Al2Si4O10(OH)2
β“˜ Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS
β“˜ 'Tetrahedrite Subgroup'
Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
β“˜Chalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
β“˜Bornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
β“˜Covellite2.CA.05aCuS
β“˜Sphalerite2.CB.05aZnS
β“˜Chalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
β“˜Galena2.CD.10PbS
β“˜Molybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
β“˜Pyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
β“˜'Tetrahedrite Subgroup'2.GB.05Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S
β“˜Enargite2.KA.05Cu3AsS4
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
β“˜Magnetite4.BB.05Fe2+Fe3+2O4
β“˜Hematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
β“˜var. Specularite4.CB.05Fe2O3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
β“˜Anhydrite7.AD.30CaSO4
β“˜Alunite7.BC.10KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
β“˜Gypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 Β· 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
β“˜Epidote9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
β“˜Pyrophyllite9.EC.10Al2Si4O10(OH)2
β“˜Muscovite
var. Illite		9.EC.15K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
β“˜9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
β“˜var. Sericite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
β“˜Kaolinite9.ED.05Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Unclassified
β“˜'Erionite Subgroup'-M2[Al4Si14O36] Β· 15H2O
β“˜'Chlorite Group'-
β“˜'Biotite'-K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
β“˜'Apatite'-Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hβ“˜ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Hβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Hβ“˜ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hβ“˜ Erionite SubgroupM2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
Hβ“˜ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hβ“˜ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Hβ“˜ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hβ“˜ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hβ“˜ PyrophylliteAl2Si4O10(OH)2
Hβ“˜ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hβ“˜ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
OOxygen
Oβ“˜ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Oβ“˜ AnhydriteCaSO4
Oβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Oβ“˜ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oβ“˜ Erionite SubgroupM2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
Oβ“˜ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oβ“˜ HematiteFe2O3
Oβ“˜ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Oβ“˜ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oβ“˜ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Oβ“˜ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oβ“˜ PyrophylliteAl2Si4O10(OH)2
Oβ“˜ Hematite var. SpeculariteFe2O3
Oβ“˜ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oβ“˜ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
FFluorine
Fβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Fβ“˜ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
MgMagnesium
Mgβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
AlAluminium
Alβ“˜ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Alβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Alβ“˜ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alβ“˜ Erionite SubgroupM2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
Alβ“˜ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Alβ“˜ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Alβ“˜ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alβ“˜ PyrophylliteAl2Si4O10(OH)2
Alβ“˜ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Siβ“˜ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siβ“˜ Erionite SubgroupM2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
Siβ“˜ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Siβ“˜ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siβ“˜ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siβ“˜ PyrophylliteAl2Si4O10(OH)2
Siβ“˜ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
PPhosphorus
Pβ“˜ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
SSulfur
Sβ“˜ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Sβ“˜ AnhydriteCaSO4
Sβ“˜ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sβ“˜ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sβ“˜ ChalcociteCu2S
Sβ“˜ CovelliteCuS
Sβ“˜ EnargiteCu3AsS4
Sβ“˜ GalenaPbS
Sβ“˜ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sβ“˜ MolybdeniteMoS2
Sβ“˜ PyriteFeS2
Sβ“˜ SphaleriteZnS
Sβ“˜ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
ClChlorine
Clβ“˜ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
KPotassium
Kβ“˜ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Kβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Kβ“˜ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Kβ“˜ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kβ“˜ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caβ“˜ AnhydriteCaSO4
Caβ“˜ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caβ“˜ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caβ“˜ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
TiTitanium
Tiβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
FeIron
Feβ“˜ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Feβ“˜ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feβ“˜ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feβ“˜ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Feβ“˜ HematiteFe2O3
Feβ“˜ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Feβ“˜ PyriteFeS2
Feβ“˜ Hematite var. SpeculariteFe2O3
CuCopper
Cuβ“˜ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuβ“˜ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuβ“˜ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuβ“˜ CovelliteCuS
Cuβ“˜ EnargiteCu3AsS4
Cuβ“˜ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
ZnZinc
Znβ“˜ SphaleriteZnS
AsArsenic
Asβ“˜ EnargiteCu3AsS4
MoMolybdenum
Moβ“˜ MolybdeniteMoS2
SbAntimony
Sbβ“˜ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
PbLead
Pbβ“˜ GalenaPbS

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS:10048337

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References

U.S. Bureau of Land Management Mining District Sheet #721.
U.S. Bureau of Mines files - Red Mountain Mine, Red Mountain project.
MRDS database Dep. ID file #10048337, MRDS ID #M899921; and, Dep. ID #10137861, MAS ID #00402230027.
Schrader, F.C. (1915) Mineral deposits of the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains, Arizona, with contributions by J.M. Hill: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 582, 373 p., 3 sheets, scale 1:125,000.
Mines Magazine (1970) Nov. 1970.
Pay Dirt (1970) September 28, 1970.
Drewes, H.D. (1971) Mesozoic stratigraphy of the Santa Rita Mountains, southeast of Tucson, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 658-C, 81 p.
Simons, F.S. (1972) Mesozoic stratigraphy of the Patagonia Mountains and adjoining areas, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, in Mesozoic stratigraphy in southeastern Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 658-E, p. E1-E23.
Simons, F.S. (1974) Geologic map and sections of the Nogales and Lochiel quadrangles, Santa Cruz County, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-762, 9 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:48,000.
Corn, R.M. (1975) Alteration-mineralization zoning, Red Mountain, Arizona: Economic Geology: 70(8): 1437-1447.
Raup, R.B. (1975) Geologic Map Elgin Quadrangle.
Pay Dirt (1975) March 24, 1975.
Tucson Daily Citizen (1975) February 22, 1975.
World Mining (1976) October 1976.
Skillings Mining Review (1977) 3-26-1977.
Hall, R.B. (1978) World Non-bauxite Aluminum Resources – Alunite. USGS Professional Paper 1076-A: A14.
Sawyer, M.B., Gurmendi, A.C., Daley, M.R., and Howell, S.B. (1992) Principal Deposits of Strategic and Critical Minerals in Arizona, U.S. Bureau of Mines Special Publication, 334 pp.
Anthony, John W., Williams, Sidney A., Bideaux, Richard A., Grant, Raymond W. (1995) Mineralogy of Arizona (3rd ed.) University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ.
Singer, Donald A., Berger, Vladimir Iosifovich, Moring, Barry C. (2005) Porphyry copper deposits of the world: database, map, and grade and tonnage models. Open-File Report 2005-1060. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/ofr20051060
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