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Hanover Mountain Mine

Past Producer in Grant county in New Mexico, United States with commodities Copper, Iron, Gold, Silver, Lead, Zinc
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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. Links to other databases
  23. Bibliographic references
  24. General comments
  25. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10097911
MRDS ID D011551
Record type Deposit
Current site name Hanover Mountain Mine
Alternate or previous names Hanover Mine Includes Gilchrist Tunnel, Hanover Tunnel, And Part of Hanover Shaft., Cobre, Chino, Continental Mine, Union

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: -108.07978, 32.85428 (WGS84)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Grant(county)

New Mexico(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Santa Rita Mine(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Silver City(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Silver City(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Mimbres(hydrologic unit)

Mimbres(hydrologic accounting unit)

Rio Grande-Mimbres(hydrologic subregion)

Rio Grande(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States New Mexico Grant

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
017S 012W 03,04 SW4 (03); SE4 (04) New Mexico

Comments on the location information

  • Located South Of Hanover Mountain. The Shaft Extends SW To The Continental Pit And They Are Connected. Geodetic Location Is For Approximate Center Of The Open Pit Area In The Southeast Quarter Of Section 9. Underground Workings And Continental Shafts Nos. 2 And 3 Are In The Northeast Quarter Of Section 9 And The Southeast Quarter Of Sec 4.A A107 6675 Ft
  • Accurate Location Is For The Union Hill Portal Shown On The Santa Rita Topographic Quadrangle.

Commodities

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

Comments on the commodity information

  • Supergene Minerals - Chalcocite. Primary Minerals - Cupriferous Pyrite
  • Base Metal Sulfides Are Gold And Silver Bearing. Some Of The Older Mines That Are Now A Part Of The Pit Like The Continental And The Anson S Were Mined For Magnetite.

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcocite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Cubanite Ore
Galena Ore
Hematite Ore
Magnetite Ore
Marmatite Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Molybdenite Ore
Quartz Gangue
Sericite Gangue
Magnesite Gangue
Pyrite Gangue
Serpentine Gangue
Andradite Unknown
Biotite Unknown
Calcite Unknown
Chlorite Unknown
Epidote Unknown
Hedenbergite Unknown
Ilvaite Unknown
Marialite Unknown
Montmorillonite Unknown
Rhodochrosite Unknown

Alteration

  • (Local) Granodiorite To Quartz Monzonite Dikes Extensively Altered To Sericite And Quartz. Sandstone And Hornfels Silicified.
  • (Local) Silicification, Carbonate, Potassic, Propylitic

Analytical data

Result Average Composition: \n54.43% Fe\n6.85% SiO2\n0.67% Mn\n1.22% CaO\n10.94% MgO\n0.64% S\n0.504% Cu

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 Plutonic Rock > Mafic Intrusive Rock > Diorite
    Rock unit name Fierro-Hanover Stock
    Rock description Fierro-Hanover Stock
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Pliocene
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Paleocene
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Sandstone
    Rock unit name Colorado
    Rock description Colorado

Nearby scientific data

(1) -108.07978, 32.85428
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Local
Structure description Barringer Fault. Deposit Localized Near Intersection Of Ne-Trending Fault Zones With N- And S-Trending Fractures.

Ore body information

  • Thickness 6M
    Length 61M
    Width 30M
    Area 10HA
    Depth to top 150M
  • Name Cobre
    General form Tabular, Massive
    Strike NORTH 70 DEG WEST
    Dip 20 DEG WEST
    Length 610M
    Width 300M
    Depth to top 300M

Comments on the ore body information

  • Type of Orebody #1 : REPLACEMENTShape of Orebody #1 : TABULARShape of Orebody #2 : IRREGULARPrimary mode of Origin : HYDROTHERMALPrimary Ore Control : IGNEOUSSecondary Ore Control : BEDDINGDegree of Wallrock Alter. : MODERATEType of Wallrock Alter. #1 : SERICITICType of Wallrock Alter. #2 : ADV ARGILLICType of Wallrock Alter. #3 : SILICIFICATIONMinimum Depth to Top : 50Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. : 0Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. : 0Total Surface Area (HA) : 10Date of Last Modification : 810803

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Mineralization Localized In Sedimentary Rocks Adjacent To Intrusive Rocks
  • Lithology, Fracturing

Comments on the geologic information

  • Associated Rocks:
    andesite dike, basalt dike, breccia, gabbro, granodiorite porphyry, quartz diorite porphyry, quartz monzonite porphyry, skarn, syenodiorite porphyry;n.d.;andesite breccia, conglomerate, dolomite, felsic volcanic rocks, granodiorite, hornfels, limestone, marble, quartz monzonite, quartzite, sandstone, shale, siltstone, skarn
  • Zinc Ore Bodies Are Replacement-Type In The Pyrometasomatic Zones. The Ore And Gangue Minerals Have Completely Replaced The Limestones (Lower Blue Limestone - A Member Of The Lake Valley Limestone And Oswaldo (Middle Blue) A Member Of The Pennsylvanian Magdelena Group). All Of The Remaining Ore Is In The Lake Valley Limestone. The Ore Is Adjacent To The Granodiorite Dikes And Seems To Con- Centrate Immediately Beneath The Parting Shale. The Dimensions Given Are For The Individual Ore Bodies (Or Pods) And Their Average Size.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface-Underground
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Discoverer Known To Spanish Prior To 1858
Year of first production 1841

Mining district

District name Central District (Fierro-Hanover District)

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Patented

Land status

Ownership category Private
Ownership category National Forest

Ownership information

  • Type Owner
    Owner Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Co. , U.S. Smelting, Refining And Mining Co., (194
    Home office Salt Lake City, UT
    First year 1899
    Last year 1950
  • Type Owner
    Owner U.V. Industries
    Home office UT
    Year 1979
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Sharon Steel Corp, Southwestern Division
    Interest 100
    Home office Miami Beach, FL
    Year 1981
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Phelps Dodge
    Interest 100
    Year 2004
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold Inc.
    Interest 100
    Home office Phoenix, AZ
    Year 2009
    First year 2004

Production statistics

  • Year 1900
    Period 1858-1900
    Material CU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Cp_Grade: ^Up To 58% Cu Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Copper Copper 58wt-pct

Comments on the production information

  • Fe Production Is Included With That Of Union Hill And Republic Mines. Production In 1979 Was Approximately 3000 Tpd At 1.66% Cu. Total Production Estimate For Cu Is Probably Somewhat Low.
  • No Production Was Reported For The Years 1919 To 1923, 1936 And 1942. Production Includes Ore From The Cupola, Jim Fair, Continental, Anson S., Snowflake And Ironhead Mines

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 2009
    Reserves 73000000mt
    Inferred 3000000mt
    Total resources 76000000mt
    Remarks Freeport-McMoran '08-'09
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.412 wt-pct Copper Primary 2009
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 2008
    Total resources 1406000mt
    Remarks Resources probably include adjoining replacement and skarn mineralization. Exposed.
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.34 wt-pct Copper Primary 2008
    Gold Au 0.01 g/mt Gold Secondary 2008
    Silver Ag 9.5 g/mt Silver Secondary 2008
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1983
    Total resources 9000000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.6 wt-pct Copper Major 1983
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Total resources 45000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.38 wt-pct Copper Major 1994

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • Chalcocite Blanket; Deposit Is Open To West And South. Based On About 30,000 Ft Reverse Circulation Drilling.
  • Reserves Given By Company In 1981 As Minable. Matrix 1 Reserve Is Surface Ore Undgrd Reserve Stated By Company (June 1981) As Minable Res. (Mat 2 Adjusted From Mineable Res. To Consider 5% Dilution Factor. In-Situ Res. Assumed To Be 100% Recoverable.)
  • All Uv Holding Have Been Liquidated. Mueller Industries, Inc. Recently Sold The Property. Reserve Given In Adit Record Is Underground Reserve. Surface Reserve Given As 51,000 Mt @ 7.0% Zn.

Comments on the workings information

  • Tunnels, Shaft, And Surface Workings
  • Extensive Underground Workings Being Replaced By Large Open-Pit
  • Workings Consist Of Numerous Open Pits And Cuts. Underground Development Is Extensive With The Principal Access Through The Union Hill Adit And The Republic Shaft
  • MAS Development Schedule #: 1Mining Record # : 1Status of Mining Method : PROPOSEDMining Method : STRIP-HILLSIDEPercent Waste Rock : 0Avg. Overburden Thickness : 0Hardness of Ore : M-HARD ROCKSCapacity : 169Capacity Units : MT ORE/DAYPreprod. Stripping Vol. : 0Unit Production Cost : 2.96Units of Production : $/MT OREOperating Days per Year : 301Operating Shifts per Day : 1Year of Information : 1981
  • 67 M
    Additional Information: MAS Development Schedule #: 1
    Mining Record # : 1
    Status of Mining Method : PROPOSED
    Mining Method : OPEN STOPE
    Percent Waste Rock : 0
    Percent Recovery : 100
    Hardness of Rock : HARDROCK WITH LITTLE WATER
    Rock Characteristics : NO PLANES OF WEAKNESS
    Rock Support Chars. : SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. : UNKNOWN
    Number of Shafts : 1
    Length of Inclines (m) : 274
    Slope of Inclines : 15
    Number of Inclines : 2
    1st Condition of Workings : OPEN
    Capacity : 181
    Capacity Units : MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost : 21.66
    Units of Production : $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year : 301
    Operating Shifts per Day : 2
    Year of Information : 1981

Comments on development

  • Old Hanover Mine Opened 1841 By Hinckel For A Mexican Concern. Ore Smelted In An Adobe Furnace Destroyed Within A Year By Apaches. First Recorded Production Came From High Grade Vein And Replacement Deposits Between 1858 And 1910 From Hanover Shaft And Other Small Workings. Drilled 1993-1994 By Cobre Mining Co. Delineating Present Reserves. Supergene Enriched Ores Recognized As Early As 1899 When Explored By Copper Queen Consol. Mining Co. (Phelps Dodge).
  • Mined For Iron From Extensive Underground Workings Prior To 1931. Between 1954 And 1968 Considerable Copper Ore Mined From Continental Mine And Leaching Operations In Zuniga Mine. In 1968 Open-Pit Mining Started.

Reference information

Comments on the other database information

  • Not A Duplicate Of Tc39333. They Are Next To One Another But Are Different Deposits (K.Bolm)

Bibliographic references

  • Geology

    Central Mining District, Grant County, New Mexico. In Ore Deposits Of The United States, 1933-1967 (Aime Graton-Sales) V. 2, 1968, Pp. 1212-1237.

  • Production

    U.V. Industries Annual Report, 1974, P. 4.

  • Reserve-Resource

    U.S. Bureau Of Mines, Mas, U.S. Bureau Of Mines Computer Data Bank, 1979.

  • Deposit

    Spencer, A. C., And Paige, Sidney, 1935, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 859, P. 5-6.

  • Geology

    Lasky, S. G. And Hoagland, A. D. Central Mining District, New Mexico, In Symposium On The Geology, Paragenesis, And Reserves Of The Ores Of Lead And Zinc, 18th Int. Geol.Cong., London, 1948, Pp. 97-110.

  • Deposit

    Harrer, C. M., And Kelly, F. J., 1963, U.S. Bureau Of Mines Information Circular 8190, 112 P.

  • Deposit

    Jones, F. A., 1904, New Mexico Mines And Minerals: Santa Fe, New Mexico Printing Company, P. 41.

  • Deposit

    Kelly, V. C., 1949, New Mexico University Publications In Geology Series, No. 2, 246 P.

  • Deposit

    Lindgren, Waldemar, Graton, L. C., And Gordon, C. H., 1910, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 68, P. 306.

  • Deposit

    Nm Bur. Immigration, 1901, P. 96.

  • Deposit

    Schmitt, H. A., 1935, American Institute Of Mining And Metallurgical Engineers Transactions, V. 115, P. 198-199.

  • Deposit

    Hillesland, L.L., Et Al, 1994, General Geology Of The Continental Mine, Grant County, Nm: Cobre Mining Co., Unpublished Report, 22 P.

  • Deposit

    Einaudi, M.T., 1982, Description of skarns associated with porphyry copper plutons, in Titley, S.R., ed., Advances in geology of the porphyry copper deposits, southwestern North America: Tucson, University of Arizona Press, p. 139-183.

  • Reserve-Resource

    Richter, D. H., And Lawrence, V. A., 1983, Mineral Deposit Map Of The Silver City Quadrangle, I-1310-B.

  • Deposit

    Hernon, R. M., Jones, W. R., And Moore, S. L., 1964 USGS Geologic Map, Gq-306

  • Deposit

    Richter and Lawrence, 1983; USBM Production Data

  • Deposit

    Richter, D.H., and Lawrence, V.A., 1983, Mineral deposit map of the Silver City 1o x 2o quadrangle, New Mexico and Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigation Series, Map I-1310-B, 70 p. and 1 sheet

  • Deposit

    North, R.M., and McLemore, V.T., 1988, A classification of the precious metal deposits of New Mexico, in Schafer, R.W., Cooper, J.J., and Vikre, P.G., eds., Bulk mineable precious metal deposits of the western United States: Reno, Nevada Geological Society

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit Deposit Consists Of A Zone Of Supergene-Enriched Copper Minerals In The Cretaceous Colorado Formation In The Hanging Wall Of The Barringer Fault At The Extreme North End Of The Fierro-Hanover Stock And Is Associated With Complex Vein, Disseminated, And Replacement Mineralization. Deposit Consists Of A Leached Cap, 20 To 200 (Average 80) Ft Thick With 100 To >400 (Averaging 290) Ft Thick With 0.38% Acid Leachable Cu. Primary Mineralization Below Chalcocite Blanket Contains 4 To 7 Vol. % Pyrite And 0.2 To 0.5 Wt % Cu.
Deposit Replacement Of Pennsylvanian Magdalena Group Limestone In The Footwall Of The Ne-Trending Barringer Fault Along The Northwest Side Of Fierro-Hanover Stock. Also Includes Vein And Supergene Deposits In Cretaceous Colorado Formation In Hanging Wall Of Fault Zone.
Deposit This Record Contains Data From Record D011690 By Ron Worl Which Has Been Deleted From Mrds. ; Info.Src : 1 Pub Lit; 2 Unpub Rept
Deposit Nine Patented Claims Mineral Survey Number 936 Covering 169.53 Acres.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-JUL-1984 Seanor, Clint E. (Worl, Ron) U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 08-NOV-1994 Long, Keith R. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 22-DEC-2009 Anderson, Claire U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 01-MAR-1995 Hite, Alan G. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-DEC-1973 Coz, Dennis P. New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources
Reporter 01-NOV-1982 Menzie, David New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources
Updater 01-JUL-1984 Worl, Ron U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

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:

  • Phelps Dodge — acquired by Subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan (2007)
    Acquired by Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold in 2007 in what was then the largest mining-industry deal ever (~US$26 B).

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.

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