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Sacaton

Past Producer in Pinal county in Arizona, United States with commodities Copper, Molybdenum, Silver, Gold
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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. Alteration
  9. Mineral occurrence model information
  10. Host and associated rocks
  11. Nearby scientific data
  12. Geologic structures
  13. Ore body information
  14. Controls for ore emplacement
  15. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  16. Mining district
  17. Mineral rights holdings
  18. Land status
  19. Ownership information
  20. Production statistics
  21. Reserves and resources
  22. Workings at the site
  23. Links to other databases
  24. Bibliographic references
  25. General comments
  26. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10283179
MRDS ID M050669
MAS/MILS ID 0040210005
Record type Deposit
Current site name Sacaton
Alternate or previous names Asarco, Casa Grande Mine

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -111.8166, 32.95465 (WGS84)
Elevation 442
Location accuracy 100(meters)
Relative position 1 mi S of Sacaton Mtns, 6 mi NW of Casa Grande. Location is center of pit. Underground orebody adjacent on the east.

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Pinal(county)

Arizona(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Casa Grande West(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Casa Grande(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Tucson(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Lower Santa Cruz(hydrologic unit)

Santa Cruz(hydrologic accounting unit)

Middle Gila(hydrologic subregion)

Lower Colorado(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Arizona Pinal

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Gila and Salt River 005 S 005 E 26 SE Arizona

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Molybdenum Primary
Silver Secondary
Gold Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Antlerite Ore
Brochantite Ore
Chalcocite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Chrysocolla Ore
Covellite Ore
Malachite Ore
Molybdenite Ore
Pyrite Ore
Gold Ore
Azurite Unknown

Alteration

  • (Local) Phyllic & Argillic - More Intense In Mineralized Area; Sericitization

Analytical data

Result Pyrite: Chalcopyrite = 1.5:1 By Volume. Total Sulfide By Volume is 1.5-3.0

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 78
USGS model code 20c
Deposit model name Porphyry Cu-Au
Mark3 model number 34

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Schist
    Rock unit name Pinal Schist; Oracle Granite; Three Peaks Monzonite Porphyry; Sacaton Granite

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -111.8166, 32.95465
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Local
Structure name Fractures (N50-70E), Sacaton Fault Dropping Down E Deposit, Brecciation

Ore body information

  • Thickness 152M
    Length 370M
    Width 370M
    Depth to top 100M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 STOCKWORK
    Shape of Orebody #2 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #3 REPLACEMENT
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Secondary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 INTERM ARGILLIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 30
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 24
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 20
    Date of Last Modification 800709
  • Thickness 90M
    Length 370M
    Width 180M
    Depth to top 500M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 2
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 STOCKWORK
    Shape of Orebody #2 IRREGULAR
    Type of Orebody #3 REPLACEMENT
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Secondary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 INTERM ARGILLIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 300
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 24
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 20
    Date of Last Modification 800709
  • Area 650HA
    Field Value
    Total Surface Area (HA) 650
    Date of Last Modification 910418
  • Name West Ore Body
    General form Massive Tabular to Irregular
    Thickness 213.36M
    Length 365.76M
    Width 367.76M
    Depth to top 201.17M
  • Name East Ore Body
    General form Massive Tabular to Irregular
    Thickness 182.88
    Length 365.76M
    Width 91.44M
    Depth to top 457.2M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Veinlets/Disseminations In Granite & Monzonite
  • Intensely Fractured and Brecciated Granite & Monzonite

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1961
Mining method Caving Methods - Block Caving
Year of first production 1974
Year of last production 1984
Milling method Flotation

Comments on exploration

  • Exploration - Ore Body Discovered By Asarco Geologist Inter- Preting Major Mineral Lineaments, Noting A Small Leached Cap Exposure, And Resultant Core Drilling (World Mining Mag., 12/77, P. 38).

Mining district

District name Casa Grande District

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights State Lease
Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership
Type of mineral rights Located Claim

Land status

Ownership category State

Ownership information

  • Type Owner
    Owner Asarco (American Smelting And Refining Co.)
    ID 200484
    Interest 100
    Home office Arizona
    Year 1972
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Grupo Mexico SA De CV
    Interest 100
    Home office Mexico
    Year 2009
    First year 1999

Production statistics

  • Year 1974
    Description 8,620 Mt Cu, 2,048 Kgs Ag, 59.1 Kgs Au 1834000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 59100g
    Major Copper Copper 8620mt
    Minor Silver Silver 2048000g
  • Year 1974
    Period 1974-1984
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Secondary Au Gold Gold 1mt
    Primary Cu Copper Copper 181mt
    Secondary Ag Silver Silver 44mt
  • Year 1975
    Description 19,900 Mt Cu, 4,427 Kgs Ag, 98.1 Kgs Au 3293000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 98100g
    Major Copper Copper 1900mt
    Minor Silver Silver 4427000g
  • Year 1976
    Description 20,000 Mt Cu, 4,591 Kgs Ag, 98.0 Kgs Au 3431000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 98000g
    Major Copper Copper 20000mt
    Minor Silver Silver 4591000g
  • Year 1977
    Description 18,100 Mt Cu, 4,072 Kgs Ag, 96.5 Kgs Au 3149000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 96500g
    Major Copper Copper 18100mt
    Minor Silver Silver 4072000g
  • Year 1978
    Description 20,900 Mt Cu, 4,864 Kgs Ag, 114.8 Kgs Au 3768000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 114800g
    Major Copper Copper 20900mt
    Minor Silver Silver 4864000g
  • Year 1978
    Period 1929-1978
    Material ore
    Ore mined 15477000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Secondary Gold Gold 470000g
    Primary Copper Copper 37880mt
    Secondary Silver Silver 20000000g
  • Year 1979
    Description 19,400 Mt Cu, 4,416 Kgs Ag, 110.7 Kgs Au 3634000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 1110700g
    Major Copper Copper 19400mt
    Minor Silver Silver 4416000g
  • Year 1980
    Description 14,600 Mt Cu, 3,860 Kgs Ag, 77.9 Kgs Au 3465000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 77900g
    Major Copper Copper 14600mt
    Minor Silver Silver 3860000g
  • Year 1981
    Description 19,100 Mt Cu, 5,350 Kgs Ag, 103.7 Kgs Au 3722000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 103700g
    Major Copper Copper 19100mt
    Minor Silver Silver 5350000g
  • Year 1982
    Description 19,000 Mt Cu, 4,790 Kgs Ag, 77.7 Kgs Au 3778000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 77700g
    Major Copper Copper 19000mt
    Minor Silver Silver 4790000g
  • Year 1983
    Description 17,100 Mt Cu, 4,170 Kgs Ag, 61.7 Kgs Au 3631000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 61700g
    Major Copper Copper 17100mt
    Minor Silver Silver 4170000g
  • Year 1984
    Description Open Pit Permanent Closed In April 1984
  • Year 1984
    Description 4,080 Mt Cu, 1,026 Kgs Ag, 14.9 Kgs Au 907000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 14900g
    Major Copper Copper 4080mt
    Minor Silver Silver 1026000g

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Reserves 53750000mt ore
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1983
    Total resources 7238000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.2 wt-pct Copper Primary 1983
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1982
    Reserves 48600000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.72 wt-pct Copper Primary 1982
    Molybdenum Mo 0.014 wt-pct Molybdenum Secondary 1982
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1979
    Measured 13600000mt ore
    Demonstrated 13600000mt ore
    Total resources 13600000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.25 wt-pct Copper Major 1979
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1976
    Total resources 6756000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.25 wt-pct Copper Primary 1976
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1979
    Reserves 14000000mt ore
    Remarks Resource is underground orebody that was not mined.

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • Surface Operation Closed Permanently. Ore Reserves Exhausted.
  • M1c1=R1. Quant. Matrix 1 And 2 Are Reserve Amts. Given In World Min. Mag., 9/77, P. 174. Quantity And Assay - Surface Mine Reserves And Grade Ore = Matrix 1. Underground Mine Reserves & Grade = Matrix 2. Sacaton East - Underground Reserves. Sacaton W. = Surf. Res. Asarco S.E.C. Form 10-K, 1977. M2c1=R2. Asarco Inc., 1983 Annual Report.
  • Surface Reserves Are Depleted

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 610M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method BLOCK CAVING 10-79
    Swell Factor .75
    Percent Waste Rock 5
    Percent Recovery 100
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK FISSURED WITH MODERATE WATER
    Rock Characteristics MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. UNKNOWN
    Mine Support Chars. UNKNOWN
    Number of Shafts 1
    1st Condition of Workings UNKNOWN
    Capacity 7256
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 4.68
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1977

Comments on the workings information

  • Sacaton West Is Open Pit, Sacaton E Is Underground

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    Reserve References - Asarco Form 10-K, 1979.

  • Deposit

    Long, K.R., 1995, Production and reserves of Cordilleran (Alaska to Chile) porphyry copper deposits; in Pierce, F.W. and Bolm, J.G., eds., Porphyry Copper Deposits of the American Cordillera, Arizona Geological Society, Digest 20, p. 35-68.

  • Reserve-Resource

    Asarco 1979 SEC Form 10K

  • Deposit

    Asarco Annual Reports, 1973 (P. 4), 1974 (Pp. 4-5, 18), And 1976 (Pp. 9, 18).

  • Reserve-Resource

    Keith and others, 1983

  • Reserve-Resource

    Asarco 1982-84 SEC Form 10K

  • Deposit

    Asarco'S New 40 Million Dollar Sacaton Unit Dedicated Today. Pay Dirt Mag., March 25, 1974, Pp. 1, 3-22.

  • Reserve-Resource

    Pcia 1982-84

  • Deposit

    Asarco'S New Sacaton Unit To Go On Stream Early Next Year. Pay Dirt Mag., Nov. 26, 1973, Pp. 1, 3, 4.

  • Deposit

    Calahan, G. Edward (Sacaton Mine Superintendent) And Jim Harasha (Sacaton Chief Mine Engineer), Personal Commuication, 1977, Comments On File At USBM, IFOC, Bldg. 20, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Co. 80225.

  • Deposit

    New Arizona Copper Mine For Asarco, Mining Mag., Aug., 1974, P. 79.

  • Deposit

    Sacaton-Asarco'S New Copper Mine In Arizona, Mining Mag., Feb., 1975, Pp. 90-7.

  • Deposit

    Sacaton-How Asarco Discovered And Developed Its Newest Copper Mine, World Mining, Dec., 1975, Pp. 38-41.

  • Deposit

    Sacaton Works Pit While Preparing To Go Underground, Engr. And Min. J., June, 1977, Pp. 105-6.

  • Deposit

    Skillings, David N., Jr., Sacaton Porphyry Copper Project Of Asarco In Southern Arizona, Skillings Min. Review, Feb. 24, 1973, Pp. 1, 10-12.

  • Deposit

    Cummings, R.B., 1982, Geology of the Sacaton porphyry copper deposit, Pinal County, Arizona; in Titley, S. R., ed., Advances in Geology of the Porphyry Copper Deposits, Southwest North America, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, p. 507-521.

  • Deposit

    Sawyer, M.B., Gurmendi, A.C., Daley, M.R., And Howell, S.B., 1992, Principal Deposits Of Strategic And Critical Minerals In Arizona: United States Bureau Of Mines Special Publication, 334 P.

  • Deposit

    Cook S S and Porter T M, 2005 - The Geologic History of Oxidation and Supergene Enrichment in the Porphyry Copper Deposits of Southwestern North America, in Porter T M, (Ed), Super Porphyry Copper and Gold Deposits: A Global Perspective, v1 pp 207-242

  • Deposit

    The Porter GeoConsultancy webpage for Sacaton contains a description of the geology. Accessed on 9/28/2010.
    http://www.portergeo.com.au/

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit Location - Utm Is Estimated Center Of Open Pit. Underground Ore Body Immediately Adjacent On East Side Of Pit. Update Jul 1987
Deposit Associated Minerals: alunite, anhydrite/gypsum, azurite/malachite, biotite, bornite, brochantite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, chlorite, chrysocolla, copper, covellite, cuprite, goethite/limonite, hematite/specularite, jarosite, kaolinite, magnetite, molybdenite, pyrite, sericite, sphalerite
Deposit Associated Rocks: breccia, dacite porphyry, monzonite porphyry, quartz monzonite porphyry;limestone, quartzite, schist;conglomerate, diabase dike, diorite, granite
Deposit West Deposit Is 1200 Ft Diameter By 100-700 Ft Thick. East Deposit Is 1200 X 600 X 300 Ft But Is At A Depth Of 1500 Ft. Deposit Covered By 60-100 Ft Of Alluvium And 600 Ft Of Tert Conglomerate On West And By 700-1500 Ft Tert Conglomerate On East. Ore Emplacement Is Related To The Three Peaks Monzonite. Supergene-Enriched Chalcocite Blanket Has Been Partially Oxidized.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Updater 09-SEP-09 Anderson, Claire U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 24-SEP-96 Hite, Alan G. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Updater 01-MAR-94 Orris, Greta J. U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 21-FEB-84 Intermountain Field Operations Center (IFOC) U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-APR-83 Peterson, Jocelyn A. U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

Current status (per MSHA)

StatusAbandoned since 07/09/1984
MSHA mine ID0200484
Mine name (MSHA)Sacaton Unit
Current operatorAsarco Inc
Mine typeSurface (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.

Operator history (post-MRDS)

MRDS records operators as of each record's last update (≤ 2019). Some of the operators listed here have since changed hands or dissolved:

  • Asarco (American Smelting And Refining Co.) — acquired by Asarco LLC, subsidiary of Grupo México (2009)
    American Smelting and Refining Co. Filed Chapter 11 in 2005; acquired out of bankruptcy by Grupo México in 2009.

Curated by qvyshift.com from publicly-reported M&A activity (SEC filings, press releases, USGS Mineral Yearbooks). Not authoritative — verify against primary sources before relying on it. The MSHA panel above is the current authoritative source for actively-permitted mines.

Maps centered on this site

Authoritative Arizona resources

These are landing pages for further research — the state agencies don't currently expose per-mine deep links.