Atacocha

Producer in Pasco, Peru with commodities Lead, Zinc, Silver, Gold, Copper
Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Alteration
  8. Mineral occurrence model information
  9. Host and associated rocks
  10. Nearby scientific data
  11. Geologic structures
  12. Ore body information
  13. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  14. Mining district
  15. Ownership information
  16. Production statistics
  17. Links to other databases
  18. Bibliographic references
  19. General comments
  20. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10068751
MRDS ID W001993
Record type Site
Current site name Atacocha
Alternate or previous names Ore Bodies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Veins: A,B,C,D, Veta Prima, Adela No. 1,, And Many Other Unnamed Veins.
Related records 10207142

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: -76.19555, -10.53236 (WGS84)
Elevation 3950
Location accuracy 10000(meters)
Relative position 13 KM NE OF CERRO DE PASCO; 326 KM E OF LIMA

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Pasco(province)

Peru(country)

South America(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country State
Peru Pasco

Comments on the location information

  • NEAR HEAD OF QUEBRADA CHICRIN MIDWAY BETWEEN MILPO AND MACHAN.

Commodities

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

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Alabandite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Galena Ore
Jamesonite Ore
Malachite Ore
Marcasite Ore
Orpiment Ore
Pyrite Ore
Realgar Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Tennantite Ore
Calcite Gangue
Fluorite Gangue
Gypsum Gangue
Limonite Gangue
Phlogopite Gangue
Quartz Gangue
Rhodochrosite Gangue
Sericite Gangue

Alteration

  • (Local) Silicification Most Common; Argillization

Analytical data

Result 96.7 G/TON AG, 0.35 G/TON AU, 3.66 % PB, 4.53 % ZN (AVERAGE)

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 72
USGS model code 19a
Deposit model name Polymetallic replacement
Mark3 model number 47

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Mafic Intrusive Rock > Diorite
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Sandstone
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Limestone
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Chemical Sediment > Chert
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic) > Felsic Volcanic Rock > Dacite
    Rock unit name Nitu Group;Nitu Group;Mitu Group;
    Rock description Nitu Group;Nitu Group;Mitu Group;
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Shale
  • 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 Pucara Formation;Goyllarisquisga Formation;Mitu Group;
    Rock description Pucara Formation;Goyllarisquisga Formation;Mitu Group;

Nearby scientific data

(1) -76.19555, -10.53236

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Regional
Structure description Strongly Folded Rocks Cut By Normal And Reverse Faults And A Cross Fold In Limestone Above Atacocha Mine. East Limb Of Anticline East Of Mine And South Plunging Syncline West Of Mine Separated By Thrust (Reverse Fault).
Type of structure Local
Structure description The Atacocha Fault And An Assymetrical South Plunging Syncline

Ore body information

  • Name VETA PRIMA
    General form IRREGULAR
    Strike NW}N70W}N80W}E-W}N55-60W}N85-90E}N-S}NNE}}}
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Plunge direction NW
    Thickness 2.5M
    Length 100M
    Width 200M
  • Name A VEIN
    General form IRREGULAR
    Strike NW}N70W}N80W}E-W}N55-60W}N85-90E}N-S}NNE}}}
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Thickness 0.5M
    Length 57M
    Width 160M
  • Name B VEIN
    General form IRREGULAR
    Strike NW}N70W}N80W}E-W}N55-60W}N85-90E}N-S}NNE}}}
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Thickness 1.25M
    Length 90M
    Width 55M
  • Name C VEIN
    General form IRREGULAR
    Strike NW}N70W}N80W}E-W}N55-60W}N85-90E}N-S}NNE}}}
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Thickness 3M
    Length 60M
    Width 55M
  • Name D VEIN
    General form IRREGULAR
    Strike NW}N70W}N80W}E-W}N55-60W}N85-90E}N-S}NNE}}}
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Thickness 2M
    Length 40M
    Width 25M
  • Name ADELA NO. 1
    General form IRREGULAR
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Thickness 25M
    Length 50M
  • Name ORE BODY NO. 1
    General form IRREGULAR
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Thickness 10M
    Length 85M
  • Name ORE BODY NO. 5
    General form IRREGULAR
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Length 60M
  • Name ORE BODY NO. 3
    General form IRREGULAR
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
    Length 35M
  • Name ORE BODY NO. 2
    General form IRREGULAR
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}
  • Name ORE BODY NO. 4
    General form IRREGULAR
    Dip }50-78 NE}51-55 NE}50-70NW}63-80 SW}75 N}}}}}

Comments on the geologic information

  • THE PORPHYRY INTRUSIVES, ATACOCHA LONGITUDINAL THRUST FAULT, AND ALSO THE CONTACT OF MITU AND PUCARA AND N.W. STRIKING FAULTS SEEM TO BE STRUCTURAL CONTROL. THE ATACOCHA FAULT IS ON THE LIMB DIVIDING A TIGHT SYNCLINE FROM AN ANTICLINE AND MAY REPRESENT A RUPTURE DUE TO EXTENSIVE FOLDING.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Significant No
Discovery year 1677
Discoverer Diaz
Year of first production 1936

Mining district

District name Atacocha District; Central Mining District

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Compania Minera Atacocha, S. A. )
    First year 1936
  • Type Owner
    Owner Compania Minera Atacocha, S. A. )
    First year 1936

Production statistics

  • Year 1973
    Material PB
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^9% Pb, 4% Zn, 200 G/Ton Ag
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Silver Silver 200g/mt
    Major Lead Lead 9wt-pct
    Major Zinc Zinc 4wt-pct
  • Year 1975
    Material PB
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^Est. 9 % Pb, 4 % Zn, 200 G/Ton Ag
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Silver Silver 200g/mt
    Major Lead Lead 9wt-pct
    Major Zinc Zinc 4wt-pct

Comments on the production information

  • THE MINE PRODUCES BETWEEN 300,000 AND 500,000 MET TONS ORE ANNUALLY AS REPORTED IN MINING MAGAZINE SEPT. 1969- VOL. 121, NO. 3 P. 241. 1988 AND 1989 FIGURES FOR ATACOCHA MINE ONLY. ORE 1940-1952 IS MILLED ORE.

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • BASED ON 10 YEARS RESERVES AT AN ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF 500,000 MET TONS ORE - ESTIMATED BY THE REPORTER. ORE (1990) HAS 3,429,085 PROVEN RESERVES AND 2,403,594 PROBABLE RESERVES
  • ESTIMATED BY REPORTER ESTIMATE PROBABLY CONSERVATIVE
  • ESTIMATED BY REPORTER BASED ON ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR LIFE OF THE DEPOSIT AT 500,000 MET TONS ANNUALLY AFTER THE RESERVES ARE EXHAUSTED. ESTIMATE PROBABLY CONSERVATIVE

Comments on the workings information

  • SEVERAL VEINS AND REPLACEMENT ORE BODIES OCCUR WITHIN THE ATACOCHA MINE AND THE DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES MACHAN AND MILPO MINES; ASENDING CUT AND FILL MINING METHOD. WORKINGS IN ATACOCHA MINE EXTEND FROM 4300 TO 3600 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL; 30 KM OF WORKINGS ON 16 LEVELS WITH 25-55 M BETWEEN LEVELS (1953).

Comments on development

  • MODERN EXPLORATION BEGAN IN 1910 BY J.H. FLEMING WHO DID A SMALL AMOUNT OF WORK AND ABANDONED PROPERTY AS DID ANOTHER GROUP. J.F. GALLO FILED A CLAIM IN 1920 AND DID INTERMITTENT WORK UP TO 1929 WHEN HE SHUT DOWN UNTIL 1936 WHEN HE FOUND ORE BODY NO. 1 AND FORMED THE ATACOCHA COMPANY. PRODUCTION NUMBERS BEFORE 1910 ARE NOT KNOWN. ; ECON.COM: CAPACITY (1976): 1600 MET TPD; CONCENTRATOR CAPACITY (1991) 2200 T/D.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    JOHNSON, R. F. 1955, GEOLOGY OF THE ATACOCHA MINE, DEPARTMENT OF PASCO, PERU. ECON. GEOL. VOL. 50, NO. 3, P. 249-270

  • Deposit

    PERU-MAPA METALOGENETICO, 1969, AND, GUIA PARA EL MAPA METALOGENETICO DEL PERU, SOCIEDAD NACIONAL DE MINERIA Y PETROLEO, LIMA, PERU, NOV. 1969

  • Deposit

    PETERSON, U., 1962, GENESIS OF ORE DEPOSITS IN THE ANDES OF CENTRAL PERU, CERRO DE PASCO CORP., EXPLORATION DIVISION, P. 147-151.

  • Deposit

    COMMINIQUE, AMERICAN EMBASSY, PERU.

  • Deposit

    CAVANAGH, J., AND GLOVER, M., 1991, THE PERU REPORT'S GUIDE TO MINES AND MINERS IN PERU: LIMA, PERU, PERU REPORTING SERVICIOS EDITORIALES S.R.L., P. 84-87.

  • Deposit

    JOHNSON, R.F., LEWIS, R.W., JR., AND ABELE C., G., 1955, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF ATACOCHA DISTRICT, DEPARTAMENTO DE PASCO, PERU: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 975 E, P. 337-384.

  • Deposit

    JOHNSON R.F., LEWIS R.W., AND GUILLERMO, A.C., 1955, GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE ATACOCHA DISTRICT, DEPARTMENTO DE PASCO, PERU: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN.

  • Deposit

    1928 GEOLMAP CERRO DE PASCO

  • Deposit

    1960 COMPILE SIMONS F. S. UNPUBLISHED REPORT

  • Deposit

    1929 GEOLMAP CERRO DE PASCO

  • Deposit

    1948 GEOLMAP CERRO DE PASCO

  • Deposit

    1952 GEOLMAP JOHNSON R. F. AND LEWIS R. W. - USGS BULL. 975E

  • Other Database

    CIMRI

  • Production

    1-7) LA MINERIA EN EL PERU, ANUARIO MINERO COMERCIAL 1977; 8 AND 9) AMERICAN EMBASSY, PERU; 1985-1990 IS CAVANAUGH AND GLO(1991). JOHNSON (1955). JOHNSON AND OTHERS (1955).

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit First Production Year: 1936 SIGNIFICANT
Deposit ATACOHA, MACHIAN AND MILPO COMPRISE THE MAIN PRODUCING MINES IN THE ATACOCHA DISTRICT. SEVERAL SMALL WORKINGS ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE AREA UNDERLAIN BY THE PUCARA LIMESTONE, BUT PRODUCTION IS SMALL FROM THESE WORKINGS. TERRORISTS CONTINUE TO CREATE PROBLEMS FOR THE ATACOCHA MINE. ; INFO.SRC : 1 PUB LIT; 2 UNPUB REPT
Deposit Discovery Year: COLONIAL TIMES
Deposit ORE BODY 0: ON 3900 LEVEL. ORE BODY 1: ON 3900 LEVEL. ORE BODY 2: ON 3900 LEVEL. ORE BODY 3: ARCUATE, ON 3900 LEVEL. ORE BODY 4: ON 4103 LEVEL. ORE BODY 5: ON 4000 LEVEL. ORE BODY 6: BASED ON 3900 AND 4000 LEVEL. ORE BODY 7: ON 4103 LEVEL. ORE BODY 8: BETWEEN 4103 AND 4048 LEVEL. ORE BODY 9: BETWEEN 4103 AND 4048.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-FEB-73 Goudarzi, Gus H. (Theune, C. T.) U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-MAY-90 Bolm, Karen S. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-JUL-93 Page, Norman J. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-MAY-94 Page, Norman J. U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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