Index of Mining Properties in Pima County, Arizona Authors Keith, S.B. Citation Keith, S.B., Index of Mining Properties in Pima County, Arizona. Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology Bulletin 189, 161 p. Rights Arizona Geological Survey. All rights reserved. Download date 11/10/2021 11:59:34 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/629555 INDEX OF MINING PROPERTIES IN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA by Stanton B. Keith Geologist Bulletin 189 1974 Reprinted 1984 Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology Geological Survey Branch The University of Arizona Tucson ARIZONA BUREAU Of GEOLOGY AND MINERAL TECHNOLOGY The Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology was established in 1977 by an act of the State Legislature. Under this act, the Arizona Bureau of Mines, created in 1915, was renamed and reorganized and its mission was redefined and expanded. The Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology, a Division of the University of Arizona administered by the Arizona Board of Regents, is charged by the Legislature to conduct research and provide information about the geologic setting of the State, including its mineral and energy resources, its natural attributes, and its natural hazards and limitations. In order to carry out these functions, the Bureau is organized into two branches: Geological Survey Branch. Staff members conduct research, do geologic mapping, collect data, and provide information about the geologic setting of the State to: a) assist in developing an understanding of the geologic factors that influ ence the locations of metallic, non-metallic, and mineral fuel resources in Arizona, and b) assist in developing an understanding of the geologic materials and pro cesses that control or limit human activities in the state. Mineral Technology Branch. Staff members conduct research and provide information about exploration, mining, and metallurgical processes that are needed in the development of potential metallic, non-metallic, and mineral fuel resources in Arizona. Guidance is directed toward the recovery and treatment of these resources by methods that are safe, efficient, and compatible with the environmental needs of the State. SERVICES PROVIDED BY BUREAU PERSONNEL 1. respond to requests for information on the geology of Arizona 2. prepare maps and reports for publication or open file 3. maintain a library of published and unpublished maps and reports 4. maintain a repository for rock cores, well cuttings, and other samples 5. conduct qualitative tests on ores and mineral specimens native to Arizona 6. publish a quarterly newsletter, Fleidnotes 7. provide lectures, talks, displays and exhibits for the education of the general public Cover Photo: San Xavier mine 1942, Pima County, Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Tad Nichols). The Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology is a division of the University of Arizona, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. INDEX OF MINING PROPERTIES IN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA by Stanton B. Keith Geologist Bulletin 189 1974 Reprinted 1984 Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology Geological Survey Branch The University of Arizona Tucson PREFACE Bulletin 189, first printed in 1974, has been reprinted with no modifica tions, except the redrafting of all figures. For these revisions, we thank Joe LaVoie and Ken Matesich. Pima County, which now leads the State in mineral production because of copper mines in the Pima and Ajo districts, was originally a silver mining area. Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino mentioned in his writings in 1705 that rich silver ores, probably from the Santa Rita Mountains, were being mined. Although large tonnages and values were not produced, there were many small mines. Silver and gold from these mines were probably used to fash ion religious ornaments for the missions. Prior to 1853 the area south of the Gila River, including Tucson and what are now Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise, and southern Graham Counties, was part of Mexico. This area became part of the United States through the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. Word of the region’s abandoned Spanish silver mines, known as “antiguas,” had already been spread by American soldiers, explorers, prospectors, and Boundary Commission surveyors and scientists. “Antiguas” had been reported in the Oro Blanco, Patagonia, Santa Rita, Sierrita, Tucson, and Catalina Mountains. In 1856 Charles D. Poston and Samuel P. Heintzelman organized the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company and traveled from Cincinnati to southern Arizona, then part of Dona Ana County, Territory of New Mexico, to reopen these mines. The stockholders’ report they prepared in late 1857 listed title to 78 mines (25 near Arivaca, 24 in the Santa Rita Mountains, and 29 surrounding Cerro Colorado) and two veins, referred to as the San Coyetano Tract, 8 miles southwest of Thbac. Prospectors and small-mine operators were very active and made many metallic mineral discoveries in Arizona during the 1870’s and 1880’s. They did not realize, however, that some of the relatively small deposits they had found were merely near-surface manifestations of larger ore bodies. The large copper deposits were not discovered until the 1950’s. In 1982 nine of the nation’s 25 leading copper-producing mines were in Pima County. Are other seemingly unimportant mineral occurrences in Pima County also marks of deeper, hidden deposits? Only time, favorable economics, ex ploration, and luck will tell. Larry D. Fellows State Geologist March 1984 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 EARLY HISTORY 2 EXPLANATION OF TABLES AND MAPS 6 NOTES ON DISTRICTS 7 Ajo District 7 Amole District 10 Arivaca District 12 Baboquivari District 14 Cababi or Comobabi District 17 Canada del Oro District 18 Cerro Colorado District 19 Cimarron Mountains District 21 Coyote District 22 Empire District 24 Greaterville District 25 Growler District 27 Gunsight District 28 Helvetia and Rosemont Districts 29 Horseshoe Basin District 31 Las Guijas District 31 Montezuma District 32 Old Baldy District 33 Oracle (Control, Old Hat, Santa Catalina) District 33 Papago or Sierrita District 35 Pima District 36 Quijotoa District 39 Quitobaquito District 41 Redington District 41 Rincon District 42 Rosemont District 43 Roskruge District 43 Santa Rosa District 43 Silver Bell District 44 Waterman (Silver Hill) District 46 Whetstone District 47 REFERENCES 146 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Production Summary 48 2. Index of Mining Propert Names 50 3. Index of Mining Property Operators 62 4. Index of Mining Properties 82 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page 1. Index Map to Mining Districts in Pima County . 85 Explanation of Geologic Symbols 86 2. Ajo and Growler Districts 87 3. Amole District 88 4. Arivaca and Cerro Colorado Districts 89 5A. Baboquivari District, South Section 90 5B. Baboquivari and Coyote Districts, North Section 91 6. Cababi District 92 7. Cimarron Mountain District 93 8. Gunsight District 94 9. Helvetia-Rosemont, Empire, Greaterville, and Old Baldy Districts 95 10. Montezuma Districts 96 11. Oracle District 97 12. Pima and Papago Districts 98 13. Quiatoa District 99 14. Silver Bell and Waterman Districts 100 INTRODUCTION “Index of Mining Properties in Pima County, Arizona” is the second of the planned series covering the counties of the State. The first, on Cochise County, was published in 1973 as Arizona Bureau of Mines Bulletin 187. The total mineral output from Arizona for over one hundred years has come from many mines, ranging from major operations to small mines and prospects. The record of those opera tions are scattered in numerous publications of Federal and State agencies, in articles in various technical journals, in public and private reports, and in newspaper clippings. Many such sources are not readily available to persons seeking such information. Thus these indices are designed to provide, in a concise form, as much information on min ing properties as may be found. No attempt has been made to name and describe every mining property that may have been located. The selection has been made by the compiler on the basis of production records, special geologic or mineralogic character, or importance in relation to known or possibly hidden mineral resources. The identification of areas of high probability for mineral that might become economic to mine is impor tant not only from the standpoint of a future national re source but also in planning the best use for the land involved. Comments, suggestions, or corrections on the material presented will be welcome. Many individuals and companies have provided assistance in the collection of the included data and their help is grate fully acknowledged. Thanks also are due to personnel of the Arizona Bureau of Mines, especially Mr. J. R. LaVoie, 1 in the preparation of the format and maps. EARLY HISTORY Several Spanish expeditions entered southern Arizona in search of precious metals in the 1500’ s and by the late 1600’s, Jesuit Fathers and early Spanish settlers had moved into the Santa Cruz Valley from Mexico. The area was then known as Primera Alta. The first detail description and map of the Pima County area was made by Father Kino in the late 1600’s. He noted the discovery of precious metals in the region. The local Indians used stone implements and colorful or useful minerals or mineral pigments found on the surface. They appear to have had little interest in met als or mining. Later, under Spanish and Mexican rule, when the area was a part of the District of Arizonac, State of Sonora, prospecting and mining increased. Gold placers were found and worked near Arivaca, at Caliada del Oro, and in washes along the slopes of the Santa Rita and other mountains. Silver-rich outcrops of mineralized veins at Cerro Colorado, around Arivaca, and in the Santa Rita, Sierrita, Thcson, and Comobabi Mountains yielded modest amounts of silver ore, extracted and treated by primative methods. Production records are missing for that period but the operations were limited, hampered by hostile Indian and bandit raids, poor and recalcitrant Indian labor, and the natural difficulties of an isolated frontier area.