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Vekol Hills

Past Producer in Pinal county in Arizona, United States with commodities Copper, Molybdenum, Gold, Silver, Zinc, Lead
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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. Mineral rights holdings
  17. Ownership information
  18. Production statistics
  19. Reserves and resources
  20. Workings at the site
  21. Links to other databases
  22. Bibliographic references
  23. General comments
  24. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10046282
MRDS ID M241177
Record type Deposit
Current site name Vekol Hills
Alternate or previous names Newmont Vekol, Vekol Mine

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: -112.05461, 32.58927 (WGS84)
Elevation 549
Relative position 1.5 MI SW OF REWARD MINE.

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Pinal(county)

Arizona(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Kohatk(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Gila Bend(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Ajo(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Santa Rosa Wash(hydrologic unit)

Santa Cruz(hydrologic accounting unit)

Middle Gila(hydrologic subregion)

Lower Colorado(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

BIA(Federal land areas administered by BIA)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Arizona Pinal

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Gila and Salt River 009S;010S 003E;003E 33;04 NE4 (04); SE4 (35) Arizona

Comments on the location information

  • MINERALIZED AREA COVERS ABOUT A QUARTER SECTION ON EASTERLY SLOPING PEDIMENT AT NE EDGE OF VEKOL MTS. ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1984)
  • LOCATED ON SW SLOPE OF A RIDGE RUNNING TO THE NW FROM THE MAIN BODY OF THE VEKOL MTS; UNPATENTED CLAIMS EXTEND INTO T10S R2E SEC 4; UTM MEASURED TO VEKOL SHAFT. INFO FROM LAND.ST : 1984

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Molybdenum Secondary
Gold Secondary
Silver Secondary
Zinc Critical Tertiary
Lead Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Bornite Ore
Chalcocite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Chrysocolla Ore
Gold Ore
Malachite Ore
Molybdenite Ore
Pyrite Ore
Silver Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Anglesite Ore
Argentite Ore
Copper Ore
Galena Ore
Smithsonite Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Tetrahedrite Ore
Hematite Gangue
Kaolinite Gangue
Limonite Gangue
Quartz Gangue
Calcite Gangue
Dickite Gangue
Siderite Gangue

Alteration

  • (Local) Hypogene Enrichment, Minor Oxidation And Supergene Enrichment
  • (Local) Strong Oxidation

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 53
USGS model code 17
Deposit model name Porphyry Cu
Mark3 model number 4

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic) > Intermediate Volcanic Rock > Andesite
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Schist
    Rock unit name Pinal Schist;Apache Group;Martin Limestone;Bolsa Quartzite;Abrigo Formation
    Rock description Pinal Schist;Apache Group;Martin Limestone;Bolsa Quartzite;Abrigo Formation
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Sandstone
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Limestone
    Rock unit name Bolsa Quartzite and Abrigo Formation; Martin Limestone; Escabrosa Limestone; Naco Limestone

Nearby scientific data

(1) -112.05461, 32.58927
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Local
Structure description Major Fracture Control; Complex Faulting And Tilting
Type of structure Regional
Structure name Limestone Dips W; E to NE trending faults in general area
Type of structure Local
Structure name Fractures; Small N-S Faults at Mine

Ore body information

  • Strike N45E
    Dip 10W
    Thickness 259.08M
    Length 914.4M
    Width 670.56M
    Depth to top 106.68M
  • General form Pods, Irregular
    Plunge 50E & 50W
    Thickness 3.05M
    Width 121.92M

Comments on the ore body information

  • Type of Orebody #1 : STOCKWORK
    Shape of Orebody #1 : MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 : DISSEMINATED
    Primary mode of Origin : HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control : IGNEOUS
    Secondary Ore Control : FRACTURING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. : UNKNOWN
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 : UNKNOWN
    Strike And Dip : N45E:10W
    Minimum Depth to Top : 107
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. : 30
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. : 30
    Total Surface Area (HA) : 822

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Diabase And Sedimentary Rocks Near Contact Of Laramide Stock, Fracturing

Comments on the geologic information

  • MINERALIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH LCRET-TERT VOLCANISM. ANDESITE MAPPED 1/2 MI N OF MINE ON MF-931

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1879
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1882
Year of last production 1965
Production years John D. Walker, P.R. Brady, Lucien Walker

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Private Lease

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Tohono O'odham Nation
    Interest 100
    Home office Arizona

Production statistics

  • Year 1965
    Period 1882-1965
    Ore mined 91000mt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Secondary Ag Silver Silver 31mt

Comments on the production information

  • THIS PROPERTY IS ADJACENT TO THE OLD REWARD MINE DISCOVERED IN 1880.
  • ASSUME ORE AND CONCENTRATE WILL HAVE MINOR GOLD & SILVER VALUES, NOT KNOWN OR ESTIMATED AT THIS TIME.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1988
    Indicated 95300000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.014 wt-pct Molybdenum Secondary 1988
    Copper Cu 0.56 wt-pct Copper Primary 1988
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1982
    Reserves 95000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.014 wt-pct Molybdenum Secondary 1982
    Copper Cu 0.56 wt-pct Copper Primary 1982
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1978
    Total resources 45351000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.014 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1978
    Copper Cu 0.56 wt-pct Copper Major 1978
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1981
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.014 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1981
    Copper Cu 0.543 wt-pct Copper Major 1981

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • THE OVERLYING COPPER OXIDES WILL BE MINED IN PRE-PRODUCTION STRIPPING AND STOCKPILED FOR POSSIBLE LATER RECOVERY.
  • RC1=M1C1 QUANTITY MATRIX 1 COLUMN 1 CONTAINS THE SAME INFORMATION AS RESERVE RECORD 1. MOLY GRADE IS FROM DRAFT EIS P. 24.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 121.92M
    Overall length 97.25M
    Overall width 326.14M

Comments on the workings information

  • PROPOSED AS OPEN PIT MINE.
  • ARGOSY SHAFT (300 FT DEEP), MAIN (VEKOL) SHAFT (400 FT DEEP), SERIES OF TUNNELS ALONG S SIDE OF ARROYO E OF MAIN SHAFT; WORKINGS ARE INTERCONNECTED UNDERGROUND
  • Status of Mining Method : PROPOSED
    Mining Method : BENCH (BERM)
    Swell Factor : .75
    Percent Waste Rock : 67
    Avg. Overburden Thickness : 107
    Primary Material Cover : SAND, GRAVEL
    Percentage : 50
    Secondary Material Cover : M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage : 50
    Hardness of Ore : M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters): 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) : 40
    Capacity : 18140
    Capacity Units : MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. : 28090
    Unit Production Cost : 2.12
    Units of Production : $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year : 355
    Operating Shifts per Day : 3
    Year of Information : 1977

Comments on other economic factors

  • THE DECISION TO PROCEED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY IS IS STILL PENDING AS OF 1983.

Comments on development

  • PAPAGO INDIANS SHOWED DEPOSIT TO J.D. WALKER IN 1879; CLAIMS INCLUDE PATENTED CLAIMS MS4143 (GRANDFATHER, FLAT IRON, VEKOL ARGOSY, LOOKOUT, MOUNT VERNON), 15 UNPATENTED CLAIMS; PREVIOUS OWNERS/OPERATORS INCLUDE WALKER BROS (1880-1894), P.P. DAGGS (1905), W.J. FORBACH (1907-1913), COMPTON COPPER CO (1907), RAMON CRUZ (1907), VEKOL MINING CO (1910-1913), M.M. CARPENTER & GEO. E. HARMSEN (1914-1917), P.P. DAGGS (1920'S - 1931), VEKOL MINING & MILLING (1927) CHAS & PAUL R. DAGGS (1931-1951), ELLIOT BROS. (1951-1965), AMERICAN LAND CO (1965). 1984-86: ARGOSY MAPPED, SAMPLED, CARRIED OUT GEOPHYSICS PROGRAM, IDENTIFIED DRILL TARGETS, AND ASSEMBLED A HEAP LEACH FACILITY.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    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.

  • Deposit

    Steele, H.J., 1978, Vekol Hills copper deposit: Arizona Geological Society Digest 11, p. 36.

  • Reserve-Resource

    Titley, S.R. and Anthony, E.Y., 1989, Laramide mineral deposits in Arizona; in Jenney, J.P. and Reynolds, S.J., eds., Geologic Evolution of Arizona, Arizona Geological Society, Digest 17, p. 485-514.

  • Deposit

    GREELY, 1978, ADMR SPECIAL REPT 2, P. 83-87.

  • Deposit

    CHAFFEE, 1977, USGS BULL 1278-E.

  • Deposit

    SAWYER, M.B., GURMENDI, A.C., DALEY, M.R., AND HOWELL, S.B., 1992, PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS OF STRATEGIC AND CRITICAL MINERALS IN ARIZONA: U.S. BUREAU OF MINES SPECIAL PUBLICATION, 334 P.

  • Deposit

    CARPENTER, 1947, PH.D. THESIS, STANFORD UNIV.

  • Other Database

    CIMRI

  • Deposit

    ABGMT CLIPPINGS FILES

  • Deposit

    ABGMT-USBM FILE DATA

  • Deposit

    ADMR FILE DATA

  • Deposit

    USGS MF-931

  • Deposit

    BLM DISTRICT SHEET 542

  • Deposit

    TENNEY, 1927-29, HISTORY OF MINING IN AZ, P. 333-335.
    TENNEY, 1934, ABM, RECONN OF CASA GRANDE MINING DISTRICT.

  • Deposit

    USAEC PRELIM RECONN REPT, 1953.

  • Deposit

    PETERSON, J.A., AND TOSDAL, R.M., 1986, MINERAL OCCURRENCE MAP AND TABULATION OF GEOLOGIC, COMMODITY, AND PRODUCTION DATA, AJO AND LUKEVILLE QUADRANGLES, SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MISCELLANEOUS FIELD STUDIES MAP MF-1834-A, SCALE 1:250,000.

  • Deposit

    NIEMUTH, N.J., 1987, ARIZONA MINERAL DEVELOPMENT 1984-1986: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND MINERAL RESOURCES DIRECTORY 29, 46 P.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit THIS REPORT REPRESENTS A MERGER OF ORIGINAL RECORD M241177 WITH RECORD M030491 OF JAN WILT IN MOLYBDENUM FILE, CONTACT PERSON T.G. THEODORE, USGS ; INFO.SRC : 1 PUB LIT; 2 UNPUB REPT
Deposit PRECAMBRIAN THROUGH DEVONIAN AGE ROCKS WERE MINERALIZED BY SOLUTIONS ASSOCITED WITH LARAMIDE PORPHYRIES. THE PORPHYRIES THEMSELVES CONTAIN ONLY MINOR MINERALIZATION. OXIDATION AND SUPERGENE ENRICHMENT ARE RELATIVELY MINOR.
Deposit RECORD # D002859 BY J. WILLIAM HASLER HAS BEEN INCORPORATED WITH THIS ONE. ; INFO.SRC : 1 PUB LIT; 2 UNPUB REPT
Deposit ORE CONCENTRATED ALONG N-S TRENDING FAULTS, IN A SHALY LIMESTONE DIPPING 10-30 SW.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-JUN-84 Peterson, Jocelyn A. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 10-MAY-94 Orris, Greta J. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-AUG-77 Hasler, J. William U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 24-SEP-96 Br U.S. Bureau of Mines
Updater 05-AUG-09 Anderson, Claire U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

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.