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El Pachon

Prospect in San Juan, Argentina with commodities Copper, Gold, Molybdenum, Silver
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Ownership information
  13. Reserves and resources
  14. Workings at the site
  15. Links to other databases
  16. Bibliographic references
  17. General comments
  18. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10142529
MAS/MILS ID 3570330002
Record type Site
Current site name El Pachon
Alternate or previous names Compania Minera Aguilar S.A.

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -70.44951, -31.74746 (WGS84)
Elevation 3400
Location accuracy 1000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

San Juan(province)

Argentina(country)

South America(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country State
Argentina San Juan

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Molybdenum Secondary
Silver Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Covellite Unknown
Molybdenite Unknown
Tourmaline Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -70.44951, -31.74746
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike E00W
    Dip 00E
    Thickness 300M
    Length 2000M
    Width 250M
    Depth to top 300M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 OTHER
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control BEDDING
    Secondary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 OTHER
    Strike And Dip E00W:00E
    Minimum Depth to Top 100
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 40
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 800429
  • Area 500HA
    Field Value
    Total Surface Area (HA) 500
    Date of Last Modification 910418

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Prospect
Commodity type Metallic
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1963
Mining method Open Pit
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name San Juan

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Federal Lease

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Pachon Sa Minera
    Home office Argentina
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Compania Minera San Jose Sa
    Interest 60
    Home office Argentina
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Cambior Inc.
    Interest 40
    Home office Canada
    Year 1994

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1986
    Indicated 792000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 792000000mt ore
    Total resources 792000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.016 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1986
    Copper Cu 0.6 wt-pct Copper Major 1986
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Indicated 500000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 500000000mt ore
    Total resources 500000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.8 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Indicated 500000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 500000000mt ore
    Total resources 500000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.75 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 429000000mt ore
    Total resources 429000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.76 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1985
    Indicated 792000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 792000000mt ore
    Total resources 792000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.016 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1985
    Copper Cu 0.6 wt-pct Copper Major 1985

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • CAMBIOR HAS PURCHASED 40% STAKE IN PACHON SA MINERA FOR $10M WITH OPTION TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER 10% BY SPENDING $5M IN EXPL. & DEVEL. CAMBIOR HAS ALREADY SPENT $25M EXPL. & DELINIATING THE THE RESOURCE.
  • Q-MAT1 COL.1 IS BASED ON 75% PROB. LEVEL AND A GRADE CUTOFF OF 0.3% COPPER. Q-MAT1 COL.2 IS BASED ON 75% PROB. LEVEL AND A GRADE CUTOFF OF 0.30 - 0.39% COPPER. Q-MAT1 COL.3 IS BASED ON 75% PROB. LEVEL AND A GRADE CUTOFF OF 0.40 - 0.49% COPPER. Q-MAT1 COL.4 IS BASED ON 75% PROB. LEVEL AND A GRADE CUTOFF OF 0.50 - 0.74 % COPPER. Q-MAT1 COL.5 IS BASED ON 75% PROB. LEVEL AND A GRADE CUTOFF OF 0.75 - 0.99 % COPPER. Q-MAT1 COL.6 IS BASED ON 75% PROB. LEVEL AND A GRADE CUTOFF 0F 1.00 - 1.24 % COPPER.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method BENCH (BERM)
    Percent Waste Rock 39
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 40
    Capacity 44667
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 13900
    Unit Production Cost 1.74
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1980
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method BENCH (BERM)
    Percent Waste Rock 33.4
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 40
    Capacity 63650
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 0
    Unit Production Cost 1.67
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1980
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 3
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Percent Waste Rock 33.4
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 40
    Capacity 67000
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 0
    Unit Production Cost 1.67
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1980

Comments on other economic factors

  • DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE WAS BASED UPON INFORMATION STATING THAT FEED GRADE WOULD INITIALLY BE 1.11% CU DECREASING TO .65% CU BY 10TH YEAR OF OPERATION AND DECREASE SLOWLY DURING NEXT 10 YRS. TO .59% CU GIVING REMAINING RESERVE OF 467,355,000 MT ORE AT .504% CU. PLANS ARE FOR CAPACITY TO INCREASE AS NECESSARY OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROPERTY TO KEEP OVERALL CU OUTPUT AT ABOUT 100,000 MTPY. THIS DEVELOPMENT PLAN ASSUMES THAT MOLY PLANT,COPPER SMELTER AND COPPER REFINERY WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED AT EL BARREAL SITE, COMPANY COULD DECIDE TO PLACE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION MOLY PLANT OP COST OF 0(K2) IS BECAUSE COST HAS BEEN

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 1986, P. 145.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING JOURNAL, 10/14/94, P.272.

  • Reserve-Resource

    SKILLINGS'. 10/22/94, P.14.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING RECORD, 11/23/94, P.4.

  • Reserve-Resource

    ST.JOE MINERALS PLANS FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PACHON PORPHYRY

  • Reserve-Resource

    COPPER WORLD MINING MARCH 1975

  • Reserve-Resource

    RESERVES AT EL PACHON PORPHYRY COPPER HAVE BEEN EXPANDED

  • Reserve-Resource

    WORLD MINING AU 1976 P.75

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING RECORD, V 106/N 28, 7/12/95, P.3.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING INTERNATIONAL YEAR BOOK,1977 P.483 FEASIBILITY

  • Reserve-Resource

    STUDIES ARE BEING COMPLETED AT EL PACHON.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF

  • Deposit

    MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING OPERATIONS, INTERNATIONAL

  • Deposit

    MINE/PLANT UNITS: ARGENTINA: NEW YORK, MCGRAW-HILL,

  • Deposit

    1978, P. 253.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING YEARBOOK, CATALOG, SURVEY AND DIRECTORY,

  • Deposit

    ARGENTINA: V. 27, NO. 7, 1974, P. 179.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING YEARBOOK, CATALOG, SURVEY, AND DIRECTORY,

  • Deposit

    ARGENTINA: V. 29, NO, 7, 1976, P. 177.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINES REGISTER 76/77, COMPANIES BY COUNTRY: V. 31,

  • Deposit

    1976, P. 15.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING, LATIN AMERICA: ARGENTINA: V. 27, NO. 5.

  • Deposit

    1974.

  • Deposit

    RIO TINTO ZINC MINING COST ANALYSIS SYSTEM, PERFORMANCE

  • Deposit

    ANALYSIS: JUNE 10, 1975, P. 108.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 1978 SURVEY OF MINE AND

  • Deposit

    PLANT EXPANSION: COPPER: SOUTH AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN:

  • Deposit

    V. 179, NO. 1, 1978, P. 70.

  • Deposit

    MINING INTERNATIONAL YEARBOOK: LONDON, FINANCIAL TIMES

  • Deposit

    LIMITED, 1977, P. 483.

  • Deposit

    MINING ANNUAL REVIEW, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA: ARGENTINA:

  • Deposit

    LONDON, MINING JOURNAL LIMITED, 1977, P. 352.

  • Deposit

    HOLLISTER, V. F., REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PORPHYRY

  • Deposit

    COPPER DEPOSITS OF SOUTH AMERICA: MINING ENGINEERING

  • Deposit

    V. 25, NO. 8, 1973, P. 52-53.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, MAJOR NEW PROJECTS AND EXPANSION PRO-

  • Deposit

    GRAMMES: CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA: ARGENTINA: V. 140.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING, JUNE 1981, P. 155.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, FEBRUARY 1984, P. 15.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, FEBRUARY 1981, PP. 137-142.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, JANUARY 27, 1984, PP. 53-55.

  • Deposit

    GOLDER ASSOCIATES DEPOSIT PROFILE, PACHON, ARGENTINA, 3/80.

  • Deposit

    THE PACHON COPPER PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY

  • Deposit

    MARCH 31, 1977.

  • Deposit

    FLOUR INC 1988 ANNUAL REPORT.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 9/16/94, P.3.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 11/94, P.7B.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, 11/18/94, P.5.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit THE LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES CODED ARE FOR EL PACHON MINE AND MILL AND ALSO FOR EL BARREAL MOLY PLANT. EL PACHON COPPER DEPOSIT WAS DISCOVERED BY CIA.MINERA AGUILA S.AA. IN 1963. BY 1975 NINETY-SIX DIAMOND DRILL HOLES TOTALI 16,353 METERS HAD BEEN DRILLED WITH A 92% RECOVERY. EIGHTY-SEVEN OF THE NINETY-SIX HOLES INTERSECTED THE PACHON ORE BODY. DRILLING WAS COMPLETED IN JAN. 1977. PLANS ARE FOR THE FOLLOWING AS OF DEC. 1977: NEGOTIATIONS,19 FINANCING PLANS COMPLETE, 1978;ENGINEERING&DESIGN COMPLETE AND ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS, 1981. INITIAL PRODUCTION TO MTPY CU AND 220,000 MTPY H2S04. TOTAL COMPLEX TO INCLUDE OP MINE,MILL,SMELTER-REFINERY, AND MOLY SEPARATION PLANT. TOTAL CAP. COST ESTIMATE FOR THIS COMPLEX-AS OF MID 1976 WAS $750,000,000. EXPLORATION WORK WAS LIMITED TO ONLY 4 MOS./YR. DUE TO CLIMA BUT PLANS ARE TO WORK MINE ALL YEAR ROUND. BY 1974 A NEW ROAD HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO LA JUNTA, 220 KM FROM DEPOSIT BUT ONLY EXPLORATION ACCESS ROAD TO DEPOSIT.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-AUG-95 Porter, Kenneth E. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

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