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

Almaden

Producer in Spain with commodity Mercury
Map
XML
JSON
KML
B
Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Nearby scientific data
  7. Ore body information
  8. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  9. Mining district
  10. Ownership information
  11. Production statistics
  12. Workings at the site
  13. Links to other databases
  14. Bibliographic references
  15. General comments
  16. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10288500
MAS/MILS ID 4690250001
Record type Site
Current site name Almaden

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: -4.49818, 38.46927 (WGS84)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Spain(country)

Europe(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country
Spain

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Mercury Primary

Nearby scientific data

(1) -4.49818, 38.46927
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 FISSURE VEIN
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Shape of Orebody #2 IRREGULAR
    Shape of Orebody #3 PIPELIKE
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control FAULTING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 UNKNOWN
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 5
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 3
    Date of Last Modification 841004
  • Length 200M
    Depth to top 125M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 2
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 FISSURE VEIN
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Shape of Orebody #2 IRREGULAR
    Shape of Orebody #3 PIPELIKE
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 UNKNOWN
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 140
    Date of Last Modification 841004
  • Length 240M
    Depth to top 290M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 3
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 FISSURE VEIN
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 REPLACEMENT
    Type of Orebody #3 STRATIFORM
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control FAULTING
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 27
    Date of Last Modification 841010

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Significant Yes
Mining method Caving Methods - Other Caving Methods
Milling method Thermal Decomposition

Mining district

District name Alma District

Ownership information

  • Type Unknown
    Owner Minas De Almaden(Spanish Government)
    Year 1976

Production statistics

  • Year 1969
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 72800 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1970
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 68700 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1971
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 103100 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1972
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 82400 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1973
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 99700 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1974
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 84000 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1975
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 79000 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1976
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigus 76700 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1977
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 48200 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1978
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 53100 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1979
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 59700 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1980
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 88300 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1981
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua 87100 Mt Ore/Year
  • Year 1982
    Description Hg Ore From Mina Antigua & El Entredicho 85800 Mt Ore/Year

Comments on the production information

  • OPERATION WORKS 4 SHIFTS PER DAY
  • ALMADEN DEPOSIT WAS DISCOVERED ABOUT 400 B.C. AND HAS BEEN MINED FOR MORE THAN 2000 YEARS. THE ALMADEN DISTRICT HAS PRODUCED OVER 7 MILLION FLASKS OF MERCURY.

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • QAGRA REFLECTS GRADE OF RESERVES AT THE 75% PROBABILITY LEVEL. GRADE OF RESOURCES AT 50% LEVEL AND BELOW IS 0.93% HG. MATRIX 2 REFLECTS RESERVES FOR MINA ANTIGUA QAGRA REFLECTS GRADE OF RESERVES AT THE 75% PROBABILITY LEVEL. GRADE OF RESOURCES AT 50% LEVEL AND BELOW IS 1.00% HG. MATRIX 3 REFLECTS RESERVES FOR EL ENTREDICHO QAGRA REFLECTS GRADE OF RESERVES AT THE 75% PROBABILITY LEVEL GRADE OF RESOURCES AT 50% LEVEL AND BELOW IS 0.84% HG MATRIX 4 REFLECTS RESERVES FOR LAS CREVAS.
  • MAYASA = MINAS DE ALMADEN Y ARRAYANES S.A. BASE DATA COMPILED BY PINCOCK, ALLEN & HOLT UNDER BUMINES CONTRACT G0225022 AS OF JANUARY 1982. NEW PROCESSING FACILITIES: 15,000 FL/Y HG RECOVERY FACILITY: HG-BEARING SCRAP (RESIDUES FROM ZINC-PROCESSING, BATTERY SCRAP, & HG FROM CHLORAKALI PLANTS. OPERATING ON PILOT BASIS (1987). RESERVE BASE NOTES FROM 1987 MINERALS YEAR BOOK (CARRICO). RESERVE BASE: NEW DEPOST, (OPEN PIT) GR. = 20.5% HG. EXPLOITABLE RESERVES = 135,000 FLASKS. MINE OP COSTS EST. AT $87.00/FL.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Percent Waste Rock 52.4
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 125
    Primary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 100
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 7
    Capacity 20
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 23.38
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Percent Waste Rock 52.4
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 125
    Primary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 100
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 7
    Capacity 40
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 21.25
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 3
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Percent Waste Rock 52.4
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 125
    Primary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 100
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 7
    Capacity 97
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 11.52
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 4
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Percent Waste Rock 52.4
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 125
    Primary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 100
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 7
    Capacity 130
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 9.79
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 620M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OTHER CAVING METHODS
    Percent Recovery 91
    Hardness of Rock UNKNOWN
    Rock Characteristics UNKNOWN
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. UNKNOWN
    Number of Shafts 4
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 240
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 13.88
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 620M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Mining Method OTHER CAVING METHODS
    Percent Recovery 91
    Hardness of Rock UNKNOWN
    Rock Characteristics UNKNOWN
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. UNKNOWN
    Number of Shafts 4
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 480
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 12.07
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 620M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 3
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OTHER CAVING METHODS
    Percent Recovery 91
    Hardness of Rock UNKNOWN
    Rock Characteristics UNKNOWN
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. UNKNOWN
    Number of Shafts 4
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 176
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 14.43
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 4
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OTHER CAVING METHODS
    Percent Recovery 91
    Hardness of Rock UNKNOWN
    Rock Characteristics UNKNOWN
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. UNKNOWN
    Length of Inclines (m) 2125
    Slope of Inclines 13
    Number of Inclines 1
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 247
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 12.21
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 5
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OTHER CAVING METHODS
    Percent Recovery 91
    Hardness of Rock UNKNOWN
    Rock Characteristics UNKNOWN
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. UNKNOWN
    Length of Inclines (m) 2125
    Slope of Inclines 13
    Number of Inclines 1
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 390
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 10.17
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 330
    Year of Information 1982

Comments on other economic factors

  • REC 1 D-SOU=Q2+Q3; D-MIN=U1+S1 REC 2 D-SOU=Q2+Q3;D-MIN=U2+S2 REC 3 D-SOU=Q2+Q3+Q4; D-MIN=U3+S3+U4 REC 4 D-SOU=Q3+Q4; D-MIN=S4+U5 REC 5 D-SOU=Q3+Q4; D-MIN S4+U5

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINES REGISTER 1976-77 P. 155.

  • Deposit

    METALS SOURCE BOOK 12/10/73 ITEM NO. (A5248).

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING,VOL 6, NO. 8, JULY 1970, P.4.

  • Deposit

    HOW SPAIN PLANS TO DOUBLE MINE OUTPUT BY 1980, WORLD MINING JUNE 1972

  • Deposit

    THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF SPAIN BY SCOTT F SIBLEY IN MINERALS YEARBOOK, VOL III, 1973, P.796

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit BASE DATA COMPILED BY PINCOCK, ALLEN & HOLT UNDER BUMINES CONTRACT G0225022 AS OF JANUARY 1982. DATA VERIFIED AND RESERVES & COSTS UPDATED TO JAN. 1984 BY MAFO PERSONNEL. IN 1973 A TRIAL PROGRAM FOR EXTRACTING MERCURY FROM FURNACE RESIDUES WAS BEGUN BY MINAS DE ALMADEN, THIS COULD YIELD A TOTAL OF 300,000 FLASKS. TWO TONS OF RESIDUE WERE REPORTEDLY SENT TO MOSCOW FOR STUDY BY SOVIET METALLURGISTS. THE ROCK DUMPS AND TAILINGS HAVE BEEN ACCUMULATING AT THE ALMADEN MINES FOR MORE THAN 2,000 YEAR

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 11-OCT-84 West, B.J. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Updater 14-JUN-11 Causey, J. Douglas U.S. Geological Survey Fixed commodity

Beyond USGS

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

Maps centered on this site