1. Mineral Resources
  2. Online Spatial Data
  3. Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS)

Oracle Ridge

Producer in Pima county in Arizona, United States with commodities Copper, Gold, Iron, Silver
Map
XML
JSON
KML
B
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. Reserves and resources
  16. Workings at the site
  17. Links to other databases
  18. Bibliographic references
  19. General comments
  20. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10283348
MRDS ID M050644
MAS/MILS ID 0040190035
Record type Site
Current site name Oracle Ridge
Alternate or previous names Control Copper Property, Control, Marble Peak
Related records 10109623, 10259050

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -110.72818, 32.47621 (WGS84)
Elevation 1800

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Pima(county)

Arizona(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Mount Bigelow(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Tucson(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Tucson(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Lower San Pedro(hydrologic unit)

San Pedro-Willcox(hydrologic accounting unit)

Middle Gila(hydrologic subregion)

Lower Colorado(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

Coronado 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 Arizona Pima

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Gila and Salt River 011 S 016 E 16 W2 Arizona

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Iron Tertiary
Silver Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Biotite Unknown
Bornite Unknown
Calcite Unknown
Chalcocite Unknown
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Covellite Unknown
Epidote Unknown
Garnet Unknown
Magnetite Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Quartz Unknown
Scheelite Unknown
Silver Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -110.72818, 32.47621
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike E00W
    Dip 30S
    Thickness 5M
    Length 2286M
    Width 1372M
    Area 20HA
    Depth to top 30M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 REPLACEMENT
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #2 IRREGULAR
    Primary mode of Origin CONT METASOMATIC
    Primary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Secondary Ore Control CONTACT ZONE
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 CARBONATE SILIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 PROPYLITIC
    Strike And Dip E00W:30S
    Minimum Depth to Top 61
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 1
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Total Surface Area (HA) 20
    Date of Last Modification 830726

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Small
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1900
Mining method Filled Stopes - Horiz Cut and Fill W/Waste Rock
Year of first production 1937
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Old Hat

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Patented
Type of mineral rights Private Lease
Type of mineral rights State Lease

Land status

Ownership category Mixed

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Oracle Ridge Mining Partners
    ID 0200840
    Home office Arizona
    Year 1991
    First year 1991
  • Type Owner
    Owner Southern Copper Corp.
    Interest 70
    Home office Vancouver, B. C., Canada
    Year 1991
    First year 1991
  • Type Owner
    Owner Continental Materials Corp, Chicago, Il
    Interest 30
    Home office Illinois
    Year 1991
    First year 1991

Comments on the ownership information

  • OWNER: SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION (70%) (FORMERLY NAMED SOUTH ATLANIC VENTURES) CONTINENTAL MATERIALS INC. (30%)

Comments on the production information

  • HISTORY-SEVERAL CLAIMS PRODUCED COPPER IN THE AREA FROM 1937 TO 1946. THE NEW MINE UNDER DEVELOPMENT HAS NO ACCUMULATED PRODUCTION AS OF 1982. MILL BEGAN PRODUCING CONCENTRATES ON FEB 28, 1991 AND FIRST CONCENTRATE SHIPPED ON MARCH 4, 1991.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Indicated 4745000mt ore
    Demonstrated 4745000mt ore
    Total resources 4745000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.24 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
    Silver Ag 23 g/mt Silver Minor 1994
    Iron Fe 15 wt-pct Iron Trace 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Inferred 4000000mt ore
    Total resources 4000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.25 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Measured 91600mt ore
    Demonstrated 91600mt ore
    Total resources 91600mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.2 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 7380000mt ore
    Total resources 7380000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.33 wt-pct Copper Major 1996

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • IRON IN ORE IS IN THE FORM OF MAGNETITE.
  • M1C1=R2. M1C2=R1. M2C1=R3. STOCKPILED ORE PROCESSED IN 1991. SOUTH ATLANTIC VENTURES LTD. 1990 ANN. REPT. PP. 2-3. SOUTH ATLANTIC VENTURES 1989 ANN REPT STATES 10-30% MAGNETITE IN ORE (P. 5). M9C4=M1C1. M9C5=M1C2. M9C6=M2C1.
  • RECORD 1 - RESERVES REPORTED AS PROVEN PLUS PROBABLE.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method ROOM AND PILLAR 10-34
    Swell Factor .6
    Percent Recovery 90
    Hardness of Rock SOFT NONPLASTIC FISSURED MODERATE WATER
    Rock Characteristics ONE SYSTEM OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING WHEN DRY
    Mine Support Chars. POST, HEADBOARD, CAPS, ROOF BOLTS
    Number of Shafts 1
    Slope of Inclines 10
    Number of Inclines 1
    Number of Adits 2
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 1036
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 14.53
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 120
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1991
  • Type of workings Underground
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method HORIZ CUT & FILL W/WASTE ROCK 10-60
    Swell Factor .6
    Percent Recovery 90
    Hardness of Rock SOFT NONPLASTIC WITH LITTLE WATER
    Rock Characteristics ONE SYSTEM OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING WHEN DRY
    Mine Support Chars. POST, HEADBOARD, CAPS, ROOF BOLTS
    Slope of Inclines 10
    Number of Inclines 1
    Number of Adits 2
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 1036
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 15.55
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 250
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1991

Comments on other economic factors

  • HISTORY-SEVERAL CLAIMS PRODUCED COPPER IN THE AREA FROM 1937 TO 1946. THE NEW MINE UNDER DEVELOPMENT HAS NO ACCUMULATED PRODUCTION AS OF 1982. MILL BEGAN PRODUCING CONCENTRATES ON FEB 28, 1991 AND FIRST CONCENTRATE SHIPPED ON MARCH 4, 1991. THE ORACLE RIDGE CONCENTRATOR HAS THE FIRST ALL-COLUMN FLOTATION CIRCUIT INSTALLED IN NORTH AMERICA.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Geology

    BRAUN, ERIC.,1969, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE MARBLE

  • Geology

    PEAK AREA SANTA CATALINA MTNS,PIMA COUNTY,ARIZ: MASTER'S

  • Geology

    THESIS,UNIV. OF ARIZ. (GEOLOGY,HISTORY).

  • Geology

    LEHNER,R.E.,1973,FIELD ENGINEERS REPORT ON CONTROL MINE:

  • Geology

    ARIZ. DEPT OF MINERAL RESOURCES. (GEOLOGY).

  • Deposit

    E/MJ, JUNE 1974, P.212 (EXPL.,MINING)

  • Production

    PAY DIRT,MARCH 24,1975 (TAILINGS DISPOSAL,RESERVES).

  • Production

    PAY DIRT ((ARIZONA) 5/78 P.24) (CONCENTRATOR)

  • Ownership

    ROSCOE,JOHN G,1971,STATEMENT BEFORE THE IMPACT SURVEY TEAM

  • Ownership

    OF THE CATALINA MULTIPLE USE PLAN BY CONTINENTAL COPPER,

  • Ownership

    INC. (OWNERSHIP,ENVIRONMENT).

  • Reserve-Resource

    E/MJ-APRIL 1975 P 170.

  • Reserve-Resource

    SOUTHERN COPPER COMPANY 1993 ANN. REPT, P. 2. (FORMERLY

  • Reserve-Resource

    KNOWN AS SOUTH ATLANTIC VENTURES CORP.)

  • Reserve-Resource

    THE MINING RECORD. SANTA CATALINA UPGRADES ORE RESERVES AT

  • Reserve-Resource

    ORACLE RIDGE MINE. JAN. 29, 1995. P. 5.

  • Deposit

    ARIZONA PAY DIRT. ORACLE RIDGE FEASIBILITY STUDIES ARE

  • Deposit

    RESUMING, APRIL 1980, P. 24.

  • Deposit

    NEW MEXICO PAY DIRT, MAY 1979, P. 56.

  • Deposit

    CONTINENTAL MATERIALS CORPORATION, 1981 ANNUAL REPORT P 7.

  • Deposit

    THE FOLLOWING REFERENCES WERE USED IN THE UPDATED

  • Deposit

    EVALUATION OF THE PROPERTY IN 1991

  • Deposit

    MCCLEAN, S. SOUTH ATLANTIC VENTURES BRINGS NEW MILL ON

  • Deposit

    LINE. PAYDIRT MAG. (SW ED.), APR 1991, PP. 4A-8A.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW. SOUTH ATLANTIC ORACLE RIDGE

  • Deposit

    STARTS PRODUCTION. NOV. 10, 1990, P. 11.

  • Deposit

    SOUTH ATLANTIC VENTURES LTD 1988-1990 ANN. REPORTS.

  • Deposit

    WALENGA, K. SOUTH ATLANTIC TO BEGIN PRODUCTION THIS

  • Deposit

    SUMMER. PAYDIRT MAG. (SW ED.), MAY 1990, PP. 4A-5A.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit PROPERTY UPDATED JUN 1991. MOST INFORMATION USED TO UPDATE PROPERTY PROVIDED BY SOUTH ATLANTIC VENTURES LTD. DURING VISIT TO PROPERTY & BY PHONE CONVERSATION. MSHA.DBF PROPERTY/COMPANY #0200840 - ORACLE RIDGE MINE, (SAME MILS MINES I.D. #) IS LOCATED IN PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA, NOT PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AS THIS PROPERTY IS. THE MILS RES_ID # 0200414, DID NOT HAVE A CORESPONDING MSHA.DBF #. THE #0200840 PROBOBLY IS MSHA.DBF COMPANY # FOR ORACLE RIDGE MINING PARTNERS. THIS CHANGE WAS REFLECTED IN THE MAS OWNERSHIP TABLE.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 24-SEP-1996 Hite, Alan G. 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 12/20/2024
MSHA mine ID0200840
Mine name (MSHA)Oracle Ridge Mine
Current operatorWedgetail Operations LLC
Current controller (parent)Wedgetail Holdings LLC
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.

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.