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Questa Moly Mine

Producer in Taos county in New Mexico, United States with commodity Molybdenum
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Public Land Survey System information
  6. Commodities
  7. Materials information
  8. Nearby scientific data
  9. Ore body information
  10. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  11. Mining district
  12. Mineral rights holdings
  13. Land status
  14. Ownership information
  15. Production statistics
  16. Reserves and resources
  17. Workings at the site
  18. Links to other databases
  19. Bibliographic references
  20. General comments
  21. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10198817
MRDS ID W700997
MAS/MILS ID 0350550007
Record type Site
Current site name Questa Moly Mine
Alternate or previous names Questa Molybdenum Mine, Moly Mine
Related records 10085408

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Main Entrance
Geographic coordinates: -105.49246, 36.69724 (WGS84)
Elevation 2520
Location accuracy 100(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Taos(county)

New Mexico(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Red River(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Wheeler Peak(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Raton(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Upper Rio Grande(hydrologic unit)

Upper Rio Grande(hydrologic accounting unit)

Rio Grande-Elephant Butte(hydrologic subregion)

Rio Grande(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

Carson National Forest(National Forest)

National Forest FS(Type of land area)

FS(Federal land areas administered by FS)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States New Mexico Taos

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
New Mexico 028 N 013 E 02 W2 New Mexico

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Molybdenum Primary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Adularia Unknown
Biotite Unknown
Calcite Unknown
Fluorite Unknown
Illite Unknown
Kaolinite Unknown
Molybdenite Unknown
Orthoclase Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Quartz Unknown
Rhodochrosite Unknown
Sericite Unknown
Topaz Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Main Entrance (1) -105.49246, 36.69724
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Thickness 120M
    Length 1600M
    Width 760M
    Area 1620HA
    Depth to top 300M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 STOCKWORK
    Shape of Orebody #1 UNKNOWN
    Type of Orebody #2 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #2 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #3 SHEAR ZONE
    Primary mode of Origin UNKNOWN
    Secondary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Secondary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 INTERM ARGILLIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #3 PROPYLITIC
    Strike And Dip N70W:
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Total Surface Area (HA) 1620
    Date of Last Modification 810416

Comments on the geologic information

  • LITHOLOGY THE ORE HORIZON APPEARS TO BE CONCENTRATED AT THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE INTRUSIVES (CONSISTING OF MONZONITE, GRANITE, RHYOLITE AND APLITE PORPHYRIES) AND THE UNDERLYING EXTRUSIVES (CONSISTING OF TUFFS, LATITES, BRECCIAS, RHYOLITES AND ANDESITES).
  • THE QUESTA ORE DEPOSIT IS TWO SEGMENTS, EACH SEGMENT IS A PART OF TWO FLAT-LYING , ELONGATED AND PARALELL MINERALIZED ZONES. THESE ZONES STRIKE N 70 DEG.W AND ARE STRUCTURALLY-CONTROLLED BY TWO FAULT SYSTEMS THAT FORM A GRABEN-LIKE STRUCTURE (?). THE N E ZONE IS EXPOSED IN THE PIT AND EXTENDS IN A NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION FOR 1600 M. THE PORTION THAT IS ORE GRADE (CALLED THE F-2 ORE ZONE) IS 125 M WIDE AND 125 M THICK. THE SW ZONE LIES 1800 METERS SOUTHEAST OF NE ZONE. THIS ORE DEPOSIT IS APPROXIMATELY 1600 METERS LONG, 180 MET- ERS WIDE, AND 120 METERS THICK.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface-Underground
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Large
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1916
Mining method Caving Methods - Block Caving
Year of first production 1966
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Red River District

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Patented
Type of mineral rights Located Claim
Type of mineral rights State Lease

Land status

Ownership category National Forest

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Molycorp Unit Of Union Oil Co.
    ID 2900164
    Interest 100
    Home office California
    Year 1990
    First year 1990

Production statistics

  • Year 1900
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 4587000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4587mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1966
    Description 85% Mos2 Con. Produced 3515000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 3515mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1967
    Description 85% Mos2 Con. Produced. 4264000 Kg Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4264mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1968
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 4128000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4128mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1969
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con Produced 4944000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4944mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1971
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 4562000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4562mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1972
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 4978000 Kgs Of Molybnenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4978mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1973
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 4944000 Kgs Of Molybnenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4944mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1974
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 5080000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 5080mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1975
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 5041000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 5041mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1976
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 5220000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 5220mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1977
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 3688000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 3688mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1978
    Description 85% Of Mos2 Con. Produced 2502000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 2502mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1981
    Description Mos2 Conc. 831000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 831mt 85wt-pct
  • Year 1982
    Description Mos2 Conc. Kgs Of Molybdenum
  • Year 1983
    Description Mos2 Conc. 281000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 281mt
  • Year 1984
    Description Mos2 Conc. 4765000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 4765mt
  • Year 1985
    Description Mos2 Conc. 6290000 Kgs Of Molybdenum
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Conc. Molybdenum Molybdenum 6290mt
  • Year 1996
    Accuracy Estimate
    Description Contained Moly Production Est. 14500000 Lb/Yr
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Molybdenum Molybdenum 6576.38mt

Comments on the production information

  • PRODUCTION HISTORY 8/1/89.SCHEDULED PRODUCTION 11.5 MILLION LBS. MO IN 1990. 8400 KG OF MOLYBDENITE IN CONCENTRATE WAS PRODUCED BY A SMALL 50 TPD UNDERGROUND MINE FROM 1923-1956.
  • YIELDS THE YIELD SET FOR PRODUCT RECORD A SHOWS A 70% RECOVERY WHICH REFLECTS A LOW MILL RECOVERY DUE TO PROCESSING STOCKPILED ORE THAT HAS HAD THE SULFIDES TARNISHED FROM EXPOSURE TO AIR. THE YIELD SET FOR PRODUCT RECORD B SHOWS AN 85% RECOVERY. IT IS ESTIMATED BY MILL STAFF THAT ORE FROM UNDERGROUND MINE WILL HAVE A BETTER RECOVERY DUE TO LOW KAOLINITE CONTENT.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Measured 109000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 109000000mt ore
    Total resources 109000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum MoS2 0.15 wt-pct Molybdenum Major 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1986
    Measured 113400000mt ore
    Demonstrated 113400000mt ore
    Total resources 113400000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum MoS2 0.228 wt-pct Molybdenum Major 1986
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Measured 117934016mt ore
    Demonstrated 117934016mt ore
    Total resources 117934016mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.17 wt-pct Molybdenum Major 1995

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • UNDERGROUND MINE BEING DEVELOPED FOR 1983 PRODUCTION.MINE SHUT IN 1986.PLANS TO REOPEN 2ND QTR 1989 WITH INITIAL PRODUCTION AT HALF-CAPACITY, ANNUAL RATE 10-12 MM LBS MO/YR.RESUMED OPERATIONS ADIT RESERVE DATA AS IN-SITU. (MO RECOVERY IS 87%)
  • 1989 RESERVE FROM PAY DIRT MAGAZINE, SOUTHWESTERN EDITION, JUN 1989, P. 5A. (GRADE GIVEN AS RECOVERABLE, BUT ADJUSTED IN

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 260HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method BENCH (BERM)
    Primary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Hardness of Ore HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 12
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 14512
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 3363
    Unit Production Cost .31
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1979
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 747M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method BLOCK CAVING 10-79
    Percent Waste Rock 0
    Percent Recovery 100
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK WITH LITTLE WATER
    Rock Characteristics MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING MAY BACK SLAB
    Mine Support Chars. STEEL W/LAGGING CONCRETE REINFOR
    Number of Shafts 2
    Length of Inclines (m) 1960
    Slope of Inclines 17
    Number of Inclines 1
    Capacity 16326
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 6.04
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1979

Comments on other economic factors

  • SURFACE MINE THE SURFACE MINE HAS LIMITED PRODUCTION. THE RESERVES FROM THE PIT ARE EXHAUSTED EXCEPT FOR A FEW SELECTIVELY MINEABLE ZONES. PRESENTLY, THERE IS ONE DRILL (OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY AND ONE SHOVEL WITHIN THE PIT. MOST OF THE ORE GOING TO THE MILL IS STOCKPILED ORE BEING LOADED BY ONE 13M SHOVEL AND HAULED BY 109-MT TRUCKS 300 M TO THE CRUSHER.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Geology

    CARPENTER, ROBERT H. GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE QUESTA

  • Geology

    MOLYBDENUM MINE AREA, TAOS NEW MEXICO. ORE

  • Geology

    DEPOSITS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1933-1967. THE GRATON-

  • Geology

    SALES VOL, AIME PUB, 1970, PP. 1329-1350.

  • Geology

    GUSTAFSON, WILLIAM G., D. G. BRYANT, & T. L. EVANS. GEOLOGY

  • Geology

    OF THE QUESTA MOLYBDEITE DEPOSIT, TAOS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

  • Geology

    GUIDEBOOK OF TAOS-RATON-SPANISH PEAKS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

  • Geology

    AND COLORADO, NEW MEXICO GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 17TH FIELD

  • Geology

    CONFERENCE, OCT 14, 15, & 16, 1966. PP. 51-55.

  • Production

    FILYK, A. A REVIEW OF PLANT PRACTICE AT THE MOLYCORP INC.,

  • Production

    QUESTA DIVISION. CHAPTER 42, FLOTATION, AIME GAUDIN

  • Production

    MEMORIAL VOL. V 2, 1976, PP. 1185-1198.

  • Production

    HOW MOLYCORP MAINTAINS PIT AND HAUL ROADS AT QUESTA MOLY

  • Production

    MINE. WORLD MINING, DEC. 1977, P 59.

  • Deposit

    THE MINING RECORD, "MOLYCORP CONFIRMS START-UP ACTIVITIES",

  • Deposit

    VOL 106, #34, 08/23/95, P1.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RESERVE REFERENCE - MINING ENGINEERING, MAY 1979, P. 510.

  • Reserve-Resource

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, SEP. 1969, P. 419.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PAY DIRT MAG. (SOUTHESTERN ED.), JUN 1989, P. 5A

  • Reserve-Resource

    RANDOL MINING DIRE, 1994/95.

  • Workings

    MOLYBDENUM CORP'S QUESTA PROJECT, NEW MEXICO, SKILLINGS

  • Workings

    MINING REVIEW, JAN 30, 1965, PP 1, 4-5.

  • Workings

    QUESTA MOLY OPEN PIT GIVES NEW LIFE TO OLD MINE. WORLD MIN.

  • Workings

    JUL 1966, P 14-17.

  • Workings

    SKILLINGS, DAVID N. MOLYCORP'S QUESTA MINE DEDICATED,

  • Workings

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW, MAY 7, 1966, P 22-23.

  • Workings

    THOMAS, DAVID A, MOLYBDENUM CORP OF AMERICA EXPANDS ITS

  • Workings

    PLANT NEAR QUESTA AND INCREASES PRODUCTION ROCKY MTN.

  • Workings

    CONST. JUNE 3, 1969. V.50, NO.11, P.28, 30, 38.

  • Workings

    WILLIAMS, ROBERT ISSAC, QUESTA MINE. CASE STUDIES OF SURFACE

  • Workings

    MINING. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL SURFACE

  • Workings

    MINING CONFERENCE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN. SEP 18-20, 1968,

  • Workings

    AIME. 1969, P. 312-322

  • Deposit

    GENERAL

  • Deposit

    RYAN'S NOTES, NEWS, FEB. 13, 1995, "CLIMAX MOLY TO OPEN

  • Deposit

    APRIL".

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit UNDERGROUND MINE BEING DEVELOPED FOR 1983 PRODUCTION.MINE SHUT IN 1986.PLANS TO REOPEN 2ND QTR 1989 WITH INITIAL PRODUCTION AT HALF-CAPACITY, ANNUAL RATE 10-12 MM LBS MO/YR.RESUMED OPERATIONS ADIT RESERVE DATA AS IN-SITU. (MO RECOVERY IS 87%) GEOLOGY PROPERTY REVIEWED BY RC SMITH, 4-87. AT THIS TIME, THE MINE IS TEMPORARILY SHUTDOWN . CLOSED SINCE FEB. 1986. Q4 MATRIX WAS ADDED FOR THE NEW RESERVE ESTIMATE BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEX Q DATA FROM THE 1979 EVALUATION. MOLYCORP EXPECTS TO RE-OPEN MINE BY 3RD QU-96, DEPENDING ON PERMITTING PROGRESS. SEE REF "MI" 001-002. MOLYCORP BEGAN INSTALLING PUMPING EQUIPMENT FOR POSSIBLE REOPENING IN JULY OF 1996. (AT 14-15 MIL LB/YR MOLY CONT.)

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 07-MAR-97 Buckingham, David A. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

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

Current status (per MSHA)

StatusAbandoned since 12/29/1986
MSHA mine ID2900164
Mine name (MSHA)Moly Mine & Mill
Current operatorMolycorp Inc
Current controller (parent)Chevron Corporation
Mine typeFacility (Metal / non-metal)

MSHA cross-reference per the original MRDS record. Mine status and operator reflect MSHA's last published Mines export (February 2025); MSHA's public bulk feed has been unavailable since, so this may be out of date. See the Mine Data Retrieval System for current status.

Open MSHA's Mine Data Retrieval System for inspections, accidents, and violations for this mine.

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