San Xavier pit (San Xavier open pit; San Xavier West Mine; San Xavier Unit Open pit), Mission complex, San Xavier, Pima Mining District (Olive Mining District; Mineral Hill Mining District; Twin Buttes Mining District), Sierrita Mountains, Pima Co., Arizona, USAi
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

Key
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
32° 1' 36'' North , 111° 4' 48'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Locality type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
Place | Population | Distance |
---|---|---|
Valencia West | 9,355 (2011) | 12.2km |
Summit | 5,372 (2011) | 12.9km |
Drexel Heights | 27,749 (2011) | 13.6km |
Sahuarita | 25,707 (2017) | 14.0km |
East Sahuarita | 1,622 (2006) | 17.1km |
A surface Cu-Ag mine located in the NE¼ sec. 23 & the NW¼ sec. 24, T16S, R12E. Discovered in 1955 by ASARCO geologists. Owned by the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO).
Mineralization is siliceous oxidized copper minerals in Cretaceous sedimentary rocks under alluvium cover.
Workings are an open pit operation. From 1967 through 1972, produced over 521,000 tons of leaching ore averaging about 0.76% Cu and 0.02 ounce/ton Ag.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Dana Chemical ElementsDetailed Mineral List:
ⓘ Aragonite Formula: CaCO3 Habit: Crystals Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 118. |
ⓘ Aurichalcite Formula: (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 123. |
ⓘ Azurite Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 Reference: personal communication, Fred Rhodes, 1993 |
ⓘ Brochantite Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 146. |
ⓘ Calcite Formula: CaCO3 Habit: Flat-bladed. Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 357. |
ⓘ Chalcanthite Formula: CuSO4 · 5H2O Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 161. |
ⓘ Chrysocolla Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 Reference: personal communication, Fred Rhodes, 1993 |
ⓘ Coquimbite Formula: AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 186. |
ⓘ Hemimorphite Formula: Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 248. |
ⓘ Malachite Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 Reference: personal communication, Fred Rhodes, 1993 |
ⓘ Marcasite Formula: FeS2 Description: Occurs as thin coatings and veinlets. Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 290. |
ⓘ Melanterite Formula: Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 292. |
ⓘ Rosasite Formula: (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 Description: Occurs intergrown with flat-bladed calcite. Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 357. |
ⓘ Sepiolite Formula: Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 366. |
ⓘ Sphalerite Formula: ZnS Reference: Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 377. |
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
---|---|---|---|
ⓘ | Marcasite | 2.EB.10a | FeS2 |
ⓘ | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
ⓘ | Aragonite | 5.AB.15 | CaCO3 |
ⓘ | Aurichalcite | 5.BA.15 | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
ⓘ | Azurite | 5.BA.05 | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
ⓘ | Calcite | 5.AB.05 | CaCO3 |
ⓘ | Malachite | 5.BA.10 | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
ⓘ | Rosasite | 5.BA.10 | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
ⓘ | Brochantite | 7.BB.25 | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
ⓘ | Chalcanthite | 7.CB.20 | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
ⓘ | Coquimbite | 7.CB.55 | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
ⓘ | Melanterite | 7.CB.35 | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
Group 9 - Silicates | |||
ⓘ | Chrysocolla | 9.ED.20 | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
ⓘ | Hemimorphite | 9.BD.10 | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
ⓘ | Sepiolite | 9.EE.25 | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification
Group 2 - SULFIDES | |||
---|---|---|---|
AmXp, with m:p = 1:1 | |||
ⓘ | Sphalerite | 2.8.2.1 | ZnS |
AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2 | |||
ⓘ | Marcasite | 2.12.2.1 | FeS2 |
Group 14 - ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES | |||
A(XO3) | |||
ⓘ | Calcite | 14.1.1.1 | CaCO3 |
Group 16a - ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN | |||
ⓘ | Azurite | 16a.2.1.1 | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
ⓘ | Malachite | 16a.3.1.1 | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
ⓘ | Rosasite | 16a.3.1.2 | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
ⓘ | Aurichalcite | 16a.4.2.1 | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Group 29 - HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES | |||
AXO4·xH2O | |||
ⓘ | Chalcanthite | 29.6.7.1 | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
ⓘ | Melanterite | 29.6.10.1 | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
A2(XO4)3·H2O | |||
ⓘ | Coquimbite | 29.8.3.1 | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
Group 30 - ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN | |||
(AB)m(XO4)pZq, where m:p>2:1 | |||
ⓘ | Brochantite | 30.1.3.1 | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
Group 56 - SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups, With Additional O, OH, F and H2O | |||
Si2O7 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] coordination | |||
ⓘ | Hemimorphite | 56.1.2.1 | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
Group 74 - PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers | |||
Modulated Layers with joined strips | |||
ⓘ | Chrysocolla | 74.3.2.1 | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
ⓘ | Sepiolite | 74.3.1b.1 | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
Unclassified Minerals, Mixtures, etc. | |||
ⓘ | Aragonite | - | CaCO3 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
H | Hydrogen | |
---|---|---|
H | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
H | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
H | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
H | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
H | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
H | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
H | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
H | ⓘ Sepiolite | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
H | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
H | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
H | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
C | Carbon | |
C | ⓘ Aragonite | CaCO3 |
C | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
C | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
C | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
C | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
C | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
O | Oxygen | |
O | ⓘ Aragonite | CaCO3 |
O | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
O | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
O | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
O | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
O | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
O | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
O | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
O | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
O | ⓘ Sepiolite | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
O | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
O | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
O | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Mg | Magnesium | |
Mg | ⓘ Sepiolite | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
Al | Aluminium | |
Al | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
Al | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Si | Silicon | |
Si | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
Si | ⓘ Sepiolite | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
Si | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
S | Sulfur | |
S | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
S | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
S | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
S | ⓘ Marcasite | FeS2 |
S | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
S | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
Ca | Calcium | |
Ca | ⓘ Aragonite | CaCO3 |
Ca | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
Fe | Iron | |
Fe | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
Fe | ⓘ Marcasite | FeS2 |
Fe | ⓘ Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
Cu | Copper | |
Cu | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Cu | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
Cu | ⓘ Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
Cu | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Cu | ⓘ Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
Cu | ⓘ Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Cu | ⓘ Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Zn | Zinc | |
Zn | ⓘ Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Zn | ⓘ Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
Zn | ⓘ Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Zn | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
References
Sort by
Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)Keith, Stanton B. (1974), Arizona Bureau of Geology & Mineral Technology, Geological Survey Branch Bull. 189, Index of Mining Properties in Pima County, Arizona: 138 (Table 4).
Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd. ed.: 118, 123, 146, 161, 186, 248, 290, 292, 357, 366, 377.
USGS San Xavier Mission Quadrangle topo map.
Arizona Bureau of Mines file data.
MRDS database Dep. ID file #10113892, MRDS ID #M050619, MAS ID #0040190390.
Other Databases
Link to USGS MRDS: | 10113892 |
---|
External Links
http://www.asarcocu.com/ASARCOinArizona/arinaz01.htm; www.asarco.com.
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North America
- Sonoran DesertDesert
North America PlateTectonic Plate
USA
- Arizona
- ⭔Tohono O'odham Indian ReservationReservation
This page 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.
San Xavier pit, Mission complex, San Xavier, Pima Mining District, Sierrita Mountains, Pima Co., Arizona, USA