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  3. Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS)

Mission Complex

Plant in Pima county in Arizona, United States with commodities Copper, Molybdenum, Silver
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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. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Land status
  13. Ownership information
  14. Production statistics
  15. Reserves and resources
  16. Workings at the site
  17. Links to other databases
  18. Bibliographic references
  19. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10113915
MRDS ID M050387
MAS/MILS ID 0040190007
Record type Site
Current site name Mission Complex
Alternate or previous names San Xavier Mine, Palo Verde, Pima, Mission Mine, Eisenhower
Related records 10111429

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -111.07149, 31.98982 (WGS84)
Elevation 1000
Location accuracy 500(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Pima(county)

Arizona(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Twin Buttes(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Sells(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Nogales(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Upper Santa Cruz(hydrologic unit)

Santa Cruz(hydrologic accounting unit)

Middle Gila(hydrologic subregion)

Lower Colorado(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

ST(Federal land areas administered by ST)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Arizona Pima

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Gila and Salt River 016 S 013 E 31 Arizona

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Molybdenum Secondary
Silver Secondary

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -111.07149, 31.98982
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Thickness 120M
    Length 2100M
    Width 1500M
    Area 2433HA
    Depth to top 60M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 REPLACEMENT
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 DISSEMINATED
    Primary mode of Origin CONT METASOMATIC
    Primary Ore Control FAULTING
    Secondary Ore Control FOLDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. UNKNOWN
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 CARBONATE SILIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #3 ADV ARGILLIC
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 60
    Total Surface Area (HA) 2433
    Date of Last Modification 830609

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Plant
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Large
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1954
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1961
Plant type Beneficiation (Mill)
Plant subcategory Flotation
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Twin Buttes

Mineral rights holdings

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

Land status

Ownership category State

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Asarco (American Smelting And Refining Co.)
    Interest 100
    Home office New York
    Year 1995
    First year 1980

Production statistics

  • Year 1979
    Material ore
    Ore mined 8872000mt
    Description 41,500 Mt Cu, 18,800 Kgs Ag, 782 Mt Mo 8872000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 18800000g
    Major Copper Copper 41500mt
    Trace Molybdenum Molybdenum 782mt
  • Year 1980
    Material ore
    Ore mined 5087000mt
    Description 19,100 Mt Cu, 8,330 Kgs Ag, 646 Mt Mo 5087000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Molybdenum Molybdenum 646mt
    Trace Silver Silver 8330000g
    Major Copper Copper 19100mt
  • Year 1981
    Material ore
    Ore mined 8630000mt
    Description 50,000 Mt Cu & 26,900 Kgs Ag, 382 Mt Mo 8630000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Molybdenum Molybdenum 382mt
    Major Copper Copper 50000mt
    Trace Silver Silver 26900000g
  • Year 1982
    Material ore
    Ore mined 9040000mt
    Description 54,800 Mt Cu & 35,700 Kgs Ag 106 Mt Mo 9040000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Molybdenum Molybdenum 106mt
    Trace Silver Silver 35700000g
    Major Copper Copper 54800mt
  • Year 1983
    Material ore
    Ore mined 8902000mt
    Description 50,900 Mt Cu & 29,400 Kgs Ag (Contained) 8902000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 29400000g
    Major Copper Copper 50900mt
  • Year 1984
    Material ore
    Ore mined 9383000mt
    Description 51,600 Mt Cu & 27,600 Kgs Ag (Contained) 9383000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 27600000g
    Major Copper Copper 51600mt
  • Year 1985
    Material ore
    Ore mined 8897000mt
    Description 53,500 Mt Cu & 28,200 Kgs Ag (Contained) 8897000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 28200000g
    Major Copper Copper 53500mt
  • Year 1986
    Material ore
    Ore mined 9007000mt
    Description 55,500 Mt Cu & 40,300 Kgs Ag (Contained) 9007000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 40300000g
    Major Copper Copper 55500mt
  • Year 1987
    Material ore
    Ore mined 9005000mt
    Description 53,159 Mt Cu & 25,200 Kgs Ag (Contained) 9005000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 53159mt
    Trace Silver Silver 25200000g
  • Year 1988
    Material ore
    Ore mined 9236000mt
    Description 59,132 Mt Cu & 38,800 Kgs Ag (Contained) 9236000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 38800000g
    Major Copper Copper 59132mt
  • Year 1989
    Material ore
    Ore mined 9006000mt
    Description 53,180 Mt Cu & 42,400 Kgs Ag (Contained) 9006000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 53180mt
    Trace Silver Silver 42400000g
  • Year 1990
    Material ore
    Ore mined 9875000mt
    Description 72,350 Mt Cu & 41,200 Kgs Ag (Contained) 9875000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 41200000g
    Major Copper Copper 72350mt
  • Year 1991
    Material ore
    Ore mined 12515000mt
    Description 78,040 Mt Cu & 42,500 Kgs Ag (Contained) 12515000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 42500000g
    Major Copper Copper 78040mt
  • Year 1992
    Description 93,621 Mt Cu & 51,700 Kgs Ag (Contained) 0 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 51700000g
    Major Copper Copper 93621mt
  • Year 1993
    Material ore
    Ore mined 20900000mt
    Description 107,000 Mt Cu & 58,100 Kg Ag (Contained) 20900000 Mtpy Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 58100000g
    Major Copper Copper 107000mt
  • Year 1995
    Description Silver Production 2604000 T Oz/Yr Silver
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Silver Silver 73822098g

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Demonstrated 493000000mt ore
    Total resources 493000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.67 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
    Silver Ag 5.5 g/mt Silver Minor 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 471409000mt ore
    Total resources 471409000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.67 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
    Molybdenum Mo 0.02 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1995
    Silver Ag 5.5 g/mt Silver Minor 1995
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 454000000mt ore
    Total resources 454000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.68 wt-pct Copper Major 1996
    Molybdenum Mo 0.02 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1996
    Silver Ag 5.5 g/mt Silver Minor 1996

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 643HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .75
    Percent Waste Rock 53.3
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 60
    Primary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Percentage 100
    Hardness of Ore HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 12
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 40
    Capacity 25400
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 25607
    Unit Production Cost 1.75
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 363
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1988
  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 643HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .75
    Percent Waste Rock 69.7
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 60
    Primary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Percentage 100
    Hardness of Ore HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 12
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 40
    Capacity 37195
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 0
    Unit Production Cost 2.17
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 363
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1988

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Geology

    TITLEY, SPENCER R., SOME FEACHES OF TECTONIC HISTORY AND ORE

  • Geology

    GENESIS IN THE PIMA MINING DISTRICT, IN "ADVANCES IN GEOL-

  • Geology

    OGY OF THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS- SOUTHWESTERN NORTH

  • Geology

    AMERICA", 1982, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA PRESS, P.387-406.

  • Geology

    JANSEN, LOUIS J., STRATIGRAPHY AND STRUCTURE OF THE MISSION

  • Geology

    COPPER DEPOSIT, IN "ADVANCES IN GEOLOGY OF THE PORPHYRY

  • Geology

    COPPER DEPOSITS- SOUTHWESTERN NORTH AMERICA", 1982, UNIV-

  • Geology

    ERSITY OF ARIZONA PRESS, P.467-474.

  • Geology

    KING, JOHN R., GEOLOGY OF THE SAN XAVIER NORTH PORPHYRY

  • Geology

    ERSITY OF ARIZONA PRESS, P.475-485.

  • Production

    HISTORY

  • Production

    HEINRICHS, WALTER E., PIMA DISTRICT, ARIZONA - A HISTORICAL

  • Production

    AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE. AIME 105TH ANNUAL MEETING, LAS

  • Production

    VEGAS, NEVADA. FEB. 22, 1976, 15 PP.

  • Production

    SCHAEFER, A.L., HISTORY OF THE MISSION MINE, AIME - ARI-

  • Production

    ZONA SECTION, MAY 17, 1965, 4 PP.

  • Ownership

    ASARCO 1985 ANNUAL REPORT, P. 6

  • Reserve-Resource

    ASARCO INCORPORATED, 1993 ANNUAL REPORT, P.5,13.

  • Reserve-Resource

    ASARCO INCORPORATED, 1993 FORM 10-K, P.A15.

  • Reserve-Resource

    ASARCO INCORPORATED, 1994 10-K, P.A18,A20,A21.

  • Reserve-Resource

    ASARCO INCORPORATED, 1995 10-K, PP. A18 - A21.

  • Deposit

    GEOLOGY

  • Deposit

    KINNISON, JOHN E., MISSION COPPER DEPOSIT. GEOLOGY OF THE

  • Deposit

    PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS, SOUTHWESTERN NORTH AMERICA.

  • Deposit

    SPENCER TITLEY, ED., 1966, PP. 281-7.

  • Deposit

    MINING AND MILLING

  • Deposit

    ANAMAX, ANACONDA, AND ASARCO FORM NEW COMPANY. WORLD

  • Deposit

    MINING, NOV., 1976, PP. 48-9, 77.

  • Deposit

    ARGALL, GEORGE O., ASARCO'S MISSION COPPER. MINING WORLD

  • Deposit

    JAN., 1962, PP. 19-40.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO BY-PRODUCTS PLANT RECOVERS MO-ZN CONCENTRATES.

  • Deposit

    ENGR. AND MIN. J., JUNE, 1966, P. 600.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO'S MISSION. ENGR. AND MIN. J., JAN., 1962, PP. 70-84.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO TO EXPAND ITS MISSION MINE BY 50%. SKILLINGS MIN.

  • Deposit

    REVIEW, DEC. 11, 1965, P. 16.

  • Deposit

    FALL, C.S., DRILLING AND BLASTING AT THE MISSION MINE.

  • Deposit

    MINING REV., SEPT., 1965, PP. 84-6.

  • Deposit

    MISSION MILL EXPANSION COMPLETED IN ARIZONA. SKILLINGS

  • Deposit

    MINING REV., MAY 20, 1967, P. 8.

  • Deposit

    TAINTER, S.L., MINE ENGINEERING METHODS AT THE MISSION MINE.

  • Deposit

    MIN. ENGR., DEC., 1965, PP. 89-92.

  • Deposit

    VINCENT, J.D. AND WAYNE BOSSARD, MISSION BY-PRODUCTS PLANT

  • Deposit

    OPERATION AND CONTROL. AIME ANNUAL MEETING, FEB. 27-MAR.3,

  • Deposit

    1966, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 15 PP.; AM. MIN. CONGRESS

  • Deposit

    1965 MINING SHOW, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, OCT. 11-14, 20 PP.

  • Deposit

    WEISS, NORMAN L. AND J.D. VINCENT, DESIGN AND OPERATION OF

  • Deposit

    THE MISSION MILL, PTS. 1, 2, & 3, MINING CONGRESS JOURNAL

  • Deposit

    NOV., 1962, DEC., 1962 AND JAN., 1963, PT. 1 (PP.68-72,80)

  • Deposit

    PT. 2 (PP. 44-51), AND PT. 3 (PP. 47-51).

  • Deposit

    SAN XAVIER UNIT

  • Deposit

    ARGAL, GEORGE O., JR., ASARCO'S NEW CU LEACH PRECIPITATE

  • Deposit

    PLANT FOR SAN XAVIER NORTH PIT ORE. WORLD MIN., OCT.,1973,

  • Deposit

    PP. 46, 48, & 50.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO'S NEW LEACHING AT MISSION NOW IN OPERATION. PAY DIRT

  • Deposit

    MAG., MARCH 26, 1973.

  • Deposit

    ROBERTS, ROLLIN W., SAN XAVIER VAT LEACH PLANT OPERATION.

  • Deposit

    MIN. CONGRESS J., NOV., 1974, PP. 53-7.

  • Deposit

    UPDATE REFERENCES:

  • Deposit

    ARIZONA PAY DIRT. PRESS CLIPPING, DEC. 1981, P. 16.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO ANNUAL REPORT, 1979, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO ANNUAL REPORT, 1981, PP. 8-9.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO SOUTHERN ARIZONA MINES. MISSION MINE -EISENHOWER

  • Deposit

    MINE -SAN XAVIER MINE. COMPANY BROCHURE, 1978 (?), 12 PP.

  • Deposit

    BUILDER ARCHITECT. $ 32 MILLION CAPITAL REINVESTMENT AT

  • Deposit

    ASARCO MISSION MINE. NOV. 1981, P. 34.

  • Deposit

    THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. PRESS CLIPPING, OCT. 4, 1981.

  • Deposit

    THE TUCSON CITIZEN. PRESS CLIPPING, SEPT. 29, 1981.

  • Deposit

    THE TUCSON DAILY REPORTER. PRESS CLIPPING, SEPT. 26, 1981.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING. UNITED STATES OPEN PIT AND UNDERGROUND TON-

  • Deposit

    NAGES, SEPT. 1982, P. 68.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT. CLIPPING, DEC. 1987 P 7A

  • Deposit

    ASARCO ANNUAL REPORT, 1985 P.6

  • Deposit

    ASARCO ANNUAL REPORT 1986 PP 5.11.12

  • Deposit

    THE MINING RECORD. JAN 1988 P.26

  • Deposit

    AE&MJ INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY, VOLUME 14,NO7 DEC. 1987,PG

  • Deposit

    U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, MINERALS AND MATERIALS, FEB./MAR.,

  • Deposit

    1989, P.28.

  • Deposit

    O'NEIL, TIM, ASARCO: PLANT EXPANSIONS AND MODERNIZATIONS

  • Deposit

    CONTINUE AMIDST COMPANY RESTRUCTURING, MINING ENGINEERING,

  • Deposit

    6/89, P.430-434.

  • Deposit

    NORTHERN MINER, 11/11/91, P.17.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, 11/13/91, P.10.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, 12/91, P.1394.

  • Deposit

    EPLER, BILL, ASARCO COMPLETES MISSION PORTION OF MAJOR

  • Deposit

    COPPER EXPANSION, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 12/91, P.23A.

  • Deposit

    ASARCO INC., 1991 FORM 10-K, P.B2.

  • Deposit

    CARTER, RUSSELL A., EXPANSION ALMOST COMPLETE AT ARIZONA'S

  • Deposit

    MISSION AND MORENCI MINES, ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL,

  • Deposit

    2/92, P.C14-C16.

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, MISSION'S COPPER UPS ASARCO'S SELF-

  • Deposit

    SUFFICIENCY, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 4/92, P.4A-11A.

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, EXPANSION DOUBLES PRODUCTION, LOWERS COSTS,

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, NO.636, 6/92, P.4A-11A.

  • Deposit

    KILBURN, JOHN, ASARCO FINDS MISSION REWARDING, NORTHERN

  • Deposit

    MINER, 11/30/92, P.1,6.

  • Deposit

    CANEY, DEREK J., ASARCO PLANS TO UP OUTPUT AT MISSION,

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, 9/30/94, P.2.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 10/3/94, P.6.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, 10/5/94, P.1.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, 11/94, P.299.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING. VOL. 47/N9. SEPTEMBER, 1995. PP.

  • Deposit

    818-822.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 22-OCT-97 Buckingham, David A. U.S. Bureau of Mines

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:

  • Asarco (American Smelting And Refining Co.) — acquired by Asarco LLC, subsidiary of Grupo México (2009)
    American Smelting and Refining Co. Filed Chapter 11 in 2005; acquired out of bankruptcy by Grupo México in 2009.

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.

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.