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  3. Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS)

Quebrada Blanca

Producer in Tarapaca, Chile 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. Ownership information
  12. Reserves and resources
  13. Workings at the site
  14. Links to other databases
  15. Bibliographic references
  16. General comments
  17. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10255209
MRDS ID TC04257
MAS/MILS ID 3370470005
Record type Site
Current site name Quebrada Blanca
Alternate or previous names No Alternate Names
Related records 10058348

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -68.79952, -20.99756 (WGS84)
Elevation 4250
Location accuracy 1000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Tarapaca(province)

Chile(country)

South America(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country State
Chile Tarapaca

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Molybdenum Secondary
Silver Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Bornite Unknown
Chalcocite Unknown
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Covellite Unknown
Molybdenite Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Bornite Unknown
Chalcocite Unknown
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Pyrite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -68.79952, -20.99756
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Thickness 100M
    Length 2000M
    Width 1000M
    Depth to top 100M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 BRECCIA FILL
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 FISSURE VEIN
    Type of Orebody #3 SEDIMENTARY
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Secondary mode of Origin MAGMATIC DIFFER
    Primary Ore Control FAULTING
    Secondary Ore Control FOLDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SILICIFICATION
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 POTASSIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 5
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 820820
  • Thickness 100M
    Length 2000M
    Width 1000M
    Depth to top 100M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 2
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 BRECCIA FILL
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 FISSURE VEIN
    Type of Orebody #3 SEDIMENTARY
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Secondary mode of Origin MAGMATIC DIFFER
    Primary Ore Control FAULTING
    Secondary Ore Control FOLDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SILICIFICATION
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 POTASSIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 5
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 820820
  • Area 400HA
    Field Value
    Total Surface Area (HA) 400
    Date of Last Modification 910418

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Small
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1915
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1994
Milling method Leach-Solvent-Extract-Electrowin

Mining district

District name Collahuasi District

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Cia Minera Quebrada Blanca S. A.
    Home office Chile
    Year 1992
  • Type Owner
    Owner Cominco Ltd.
    Interest 38.3
    Home office Canada
    Year 1992
  • Type Owner
    Owner Cominco Resources International Ltd.
    Interest 9
    Home office Canada
    Year 1992
  • Type Owner
    Owner Teck Corp.
    Interest 29.3
    Home office Canada
    Year 1992
  • Type Owner
    Owner Empresa Nacional De Mineria (Enami)
    Interest 10
    Home office Chile
    Year 1992
  • Type Owner
    Owner Soc. Minera Pudahuel Ltda.
    Interest 13.5
    Home office Chile
    Year 1992

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Indicated 77000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 77000000mt ore
    Total resources 77000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.4 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Inferred 255000000mt ore
    Total resources 255000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.014 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1991
    Copper Cu 1.22 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Indicated 400000mt ore
    Demonstrated 400000mt ore
    Total resources 400000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.018 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1989
    Copper Cu 0.81 wt-pct Copper Major 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Inferred 1090000mt ore
    Total resources 1090000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.62 wt-pct Copper Major 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1992
    Demonstrated 84800000mt ore
    Total resources 84800000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.35 wt-pct Copper Major 1992
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1992
    Inferred 250000000mt ore
    Total resources 250000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.5 wt-pct Copper Major 1992
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1992
    Indicated 84800000mt ore
    Demonstrated 84800000mt ore
    Total resources 84800000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.35 wt-pct Copper Major 1992

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • THE CURRENT MINE PLAN ENVISAGES EXPLOITING AN 84.8 MILLION MT SUPERGENE SULPHIDE ZONE GRADING 1.34% CU WITH OPEN PIT MINING AND SMP LEACH TECHNOLOGY. A 250 MILLION MT PRIMARY SULPHIDE ZONE @ 0.5% CU UNDERLIES AND MAY BE MINED LATER. NORTHERN MINER, 5/11/92, P.6

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 400HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method BENCH (BERM)
    Hardness of Ore SAND, GRAVEL
    Capacity 21429
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 1785.7
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1986
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Capacity 32143
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 3
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Capacity 42857
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    *METALLOGENIC MAP OF CHILE, 1990, P. 37, NO. 4.

  • Deposit

    *TECK. CORP., 1992, P.

  • Reserve-Resource

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 5/18/89, P.5,6, VOL.8,NO 9

  • Reserve-Resource

    WORLD MINING, 4/82, P.86

  • Reserve-Resource

    WORLD MINING, 6/83, P.83

  • Reserve-Resource

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, 10/89, P.6

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING MAGAZINE, 2/92, P.113

  • Reserve-Resource

    NORTHERN MINER, 5/11/92, P.6

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, JANUARY 1978,P.70.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, AUGUST 1977, P.134.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, 6/83, P.636-644

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 9/15/89, P.209,210

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 12/1/89, P.453

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 12/20,27/91, P.453

  • Deposit

    COMINCO RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL LTD., 1990 ANNUAL REPORT,

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, "QUEBRADA BLANCA AGREEMENT SIGNED", JULY 15,

  • Deposit

    1977, P. 43.

  • Deposit

    METAL BULLETIN, "FALCONBRIDGE MEETS PINCHET, JUNE 12, 1972,

  • Deposit

    P. 18.

  • Deposit

    "INTERNATIONAL MOLYBDENUM ENCYCLOPAEDIA 1778-1978 VOLUME I",

  • Deposit

    ALEXANDER SUTLOV INTERMET PUBLICATIONS, 1978, P. 70-74.

  • Deposit

    "MINERIA DE COBRES PORFIDICOS VOLUMEN III", ANALES DEL

  • Deposit

    CONGRESO CINCUENTENARIO, 23-29 NOVEMBER, 1980, P. 263-

  • Deposit

    289.

  • Deposit

    HUNT, JOHN P., "QUEBRADA BLANCA, CHILE AN ENRICHED PORPHYRY

  • Deposit

    COPPER DEPOSIT", SME PREPRING NUMBER 8-83, P. 1-13.

  • Deposit

    CRU COPPER STUDIES, JULY, 1983, P. 1-14.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, "ENAMI TO SELL COPPER MINE STAKE",

  • Deposit

    11/88, P. 6,7.

  • Deposit

    EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TRIP REPORT TO

  • Deposit

    SANTIAGO, CHILE, AUGUST 26-311, 1988, P. 1-5.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, "COMINCO'S CHILEAN COPPER BID", LONDON, JUNE

  • Deposit

    2, 1989, P. 434.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW, "COMINCO RES./COMINCO'S QUEBRADA

  • Deposit

    BLANCA BID ACCEPTED BY ENAMI", 8/26/89, P. 18.

  • Deposit

    MINING WEEKLY, 8/28/89, P. 2

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "CHILE: COMINCO WINS BID TO

  • Deposit

    DEVELOP QUEBRADA BLANCA", VOLUME 8, NUMBER 16,

  • Deposit

    8/29/89, P. 6.

  • Deposit

    DEPARTMENT OF STATE TELEGRAM, NOVEMBER 29, 1989, P. 1,2.

  • Deposit

    MINING WEEKLY, 12/4/89, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 1/90, P. 112.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "COMINCO FORMS COMPANY TO

  • Deposit

    OPERATE QUEBRADA BLANCA", VOLUME 8, NUMBER 23, 12/7/89,

  • Deposit

    P. 6.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 2/90, P. 41.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 4/90, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, "QUEBRADA BLANCA INVESTMENT", 7/13/90,

  • Deposit

    P. 25.

  • Deposit

    MINING ACTIVITY DIGEST, VOLUME 7, NUMBER 2, 2/29/90, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    MINING ACTIVITY DIGEST, VOLUME 7, NUMBER 5, 5/31/90, P. 6.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "CHILE: CANADA'S COMINCO

  • Deposit

    GIVEN GO-AHEAD", VOLUME 9, NUMBER 12, 7/24/90, P. 4.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, JUNE, 1990, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, AUGUST, 1990, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, NOVEMBER, 1990, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    MINING WEEKLY, 11/19/90, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 4/91, P. 47.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 5/91, P. 38.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 3/8/91, P. 178.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, "QUEBRADA BLANCA: UBS AWARD", 8/30/91,

  • Deposit

    P. 155.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, "QUEBRADA BLANCA", 10/91,

  • Deposit

    P. 43.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, "TECK LINKS UP WITH COMINCO TO

  • Deposit

    DEVELOP QUEBRADA BLANCA", 12/9/91, PP. 2,7.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "CHILE: WORK ON QUEBRADA

  • Deposit

    BLANCA EXPECTED IN JULY", VOLUME 9, NUMBER 9, 5/31/90,

  • Deposit

    P. 6.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, "CHILE COPPER PROJECT'S

  • Deposit

    CONSTRUCTION GETS 'GO'", 12/18/91, P. 6.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW, "COMINCO/TECK CORP. REACH AGREEMENT

  • Deposit

    ON QUEBRADA BLANCA", 12/14/91, P. 18.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "QUEBRADA BLANCA COPPER

  • Deposit

    EXPLOITATION GOES AHEAD", VOLUME 19, NUMBER 23, 12/31/91

  • Deposit

    P. 1.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, "COMINCO WILL GO AHEAD WITH CHILEAN

  • Deposit

    COPPER PROJECT", 1/92, P. 32.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, JANUARY, 1992, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW, "QUEBRADA BLANCA COPPER DEVELOPMENT

  • Deposit

    APPROVED", 12/28/91, P. 21.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 2/92, P. 15.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, "QUEBRADA BLANCA GO-AHEAD", 2/92, P. 113.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 3/92, P. 45.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW, "FLOUR DANIEL WINS CONTRACT FOR

  • Deposit

    COPPER PLANT IN CHILE", 5/16/92, P. 15.

  • Deposit

    NORTHERN MINER, "GREEN LIGHT FOR QUEBRADA BLANCA", 1/6/92,

  • Deposit

    P. 3.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, "QUEBRADA BLANCA AWARD", 5/15/92, P. 353.

  • Deposit

    MINING ACTIVITY DIGEST, "QUEBRADA BLANCA TO MOVE INTO

  • Deposit

    PRODUCTION", 5/92, P. 9, 10.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, "FLOUR DANIEL SELECTED FOR CONTRACT IN CHILE"

  • Deposit

    6/3/92, P. 1.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 6/92, P. 24.

  • Deposit

    MINERALS TODAY, "QUEBRADA BLANCA COPPER PROJECT MOVES

  • Deposit

    FOREWARD, JUNE, 1992, P. 34.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW, "COMINCO SELLS 32.5% INTEREST IN

  • Deposit

    QUEBRADA BLANCA", 7/25/92, P. 44.

  • Deposit

    TECK CORPORATION MINING FOR THE FUTURE, VOLUME II, P. 2.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 9/92, P. 29.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "QUEBRADA BLANCA SECURES LOAN"

  • Deposit

    11/14/92, P. 2.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "COMINCO SELLS MINE SHARE",

  • Deposit

    VOLUME 11, NUMBER 11&12, 7/31/92, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    ROCKY MOUNTAIN PAY DIRT, "PROGRESS BEING MADE AT NEW

  • Deposit

    CHILEAN COPPER MINE", 12/92, P. 178.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, "QUEBRADA BLANCA, CHILE: CESL'S

  • Deposit

    INVOLVEMENT CONTINUES", 12/92, P. 428.

  • Deposit

    MINING WEEKLY, 11/23/92, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    CHILEAN ECONOMIC REPORT, 11/92, P. 6.

  • Deposit

    NORTHERN MINER, "QUEBRADA BLANCA PROJECT ON SHCEDULE AND

  • Deposit

    BUDGET", 6/28/93, P. B1, B9.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, "QUEBRADA BLANCA HELD ON SCHEDULE",

  • Deposit

    8/9/93, P. 20.

  • Deposit

    METALS BULLETIN MONTHLY, "QUEBRADA BLANCA ON TARGET FOR MID-

  • Deposit

    1994 START", 9/93, P. 56.

  • Deposit

    MINING ACTIVITY DIGEST, "QUEBRADA BLANCA PROJECT ON

  • Deposit

    SCHEDULE", 10/93, P. 11.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, "TENENGE GETS FIVE PACTS FOR CHILEAN

  • Deposit

    MINE", 6/21/93, P. 6.

  • Deposit

    MINING BULLETIN, "QUEBRADA BLANCA COPPER MINE ON SCHEDULE",

  • Deposit

    8/12/93, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    MINING WEEKLY FOCUS, 9/92, P. 26.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, "QUEBRADA BLANCA ON SCHEDULE", 8/16/93, P.90

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, "QUEBRADA BLANCA" 1/94, P. 29.

  • Deposit

    MINING WEEKLY, 4/18/94, P. 5,6.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW, "COMINCO REPORTS PROGRESS AT GOLD/

  • Deposit

    SILVER PROJECT IN TURKEY", 5/14/94, P. 9.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, "QUEBRADA ONSTREAM IN JUNE",

  • Deposit

    5/20/94, P. 8.

  • Deposit

    NORTHERN MINER, 5/17/93, P.1,2.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, 5/4/94, P.1.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 6/30/94, V13/N8-9, P.5.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 8/22/94, P.3.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 9/9/94, P.162.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit FALCONBRIDGE NICKEL IS INVOLVED IN A FOUR YEAR STUDY OF THE QUEBRADA CU DEPOSIT. THE CU DEPOSIT IS ESTIMATED TO CONTAIN RESERVES OF 200 MILLION TONS AVERAGING 1% CU. INVESTMENT IS ESTIMATED AT $500 MILLION FOR MINE DEVELOPMENT AND $200 MILLION FOR THE REFINERY. THE PREDOMINANT MILLING METHOD IS ACTUALLY SOLVENT-EXTRACTION ELECTROWINNING, BIOLEACH.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 11-MAR-97 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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