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Cerro Colorado

Producer in Tarapaca, Chile with commodities Copper, Molybdenum
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Ownership information
  13. Reserves and resources
  14. Workings at the site
  15. Links to other databases
  16. Bibliographic references
  17. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10279968
MRDS ID W001971
MAS/MILS ID 3370470001
Record type Site
Current site name Cerro Colorado
Related records 10068730

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -69.26423, -20.042 (WGS84)
Elevation 2600
Location accuracy 1000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Tarapaca(province)

Chile(country)

South America(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country State
Chile Tarapaca

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Molybdenum Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcocite Unknown
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Magnetite Unknown
Molybdenite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -69.26423, -20.042
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Thickness 50M
    Length 1000M
    Width 500M
    Area 50HA
    Depth to top 180M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 REPLACEMENT
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Secondary mode of Origin CONT METASOMATIC
    Primary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Secondary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 PROPYLITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #3 INTERM ARGILLIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 110
    Total Surface Area (HA) 50
    Date of Last Modification 800617

Comments on the geologic information

  • THE ECONOMIC ORE IS A SECONDARY ENRICHMENT BLANKET PRIMARILY OF CHALCOCITE, THAT IS 1,000 X 500 M AND AVGS. 50 M THICK. IT IS BASICALLY FLAT-LYING.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1963
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1994
Milling method Leach-Solvent-Extract-Electrowin

Comments on exploration

  • CERRO COLORADO LOCATED NEAR MAMINA HOT SPRINGS (JUST NORTH OF), ABOUT 95 KM ENE OF PORT OF IQUIQUE AND ABOUT 20 KM NE OF THE SAGASCA CU MINE. HISTORY: DEPOSIT KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME DUE TO COPPER OXIDE OUTCROPPINGS. FIRST DRILLING WAS BY NORMINA CORP IN 1963 (4 DRILL HOLES). NEXT DRILLING BY INSTITUTE DE INVESTIGA- ACIONES GEOLOGICAS IN 1973 (3 DRILL HOLES). PROPERTY PURCHASED IN 1975 BY SOCIEDAD MINERA IQUIQUE(SURSID.OF NIPPON MINES CO.OF JAPAN) AND 5,000 M OF DRILLING ON A 200 X 200 M GRID PLUS 1,350 M OF ADITS AND DRIFTS COMPLETED IN 1975 & 1976. PROJECT WAS IN FEASIBILITY STUDY IN 1978-PLANNED CAPACITY OF 5,000 MTPD ORE FEED TO MILL X 350 D/YR. 1,750,000 MTPY.

Mining district

District name Sagasca

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights State Lease
Type of mineral rights Minerals Only

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Cia Minera Cerro Colorado Ltd.
    Home office Chile
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Rio Algom Ltd.
    Interest 100
    Home office Canada
    Year 1994

Comments on the ownership information

  • A 1976 ARTICLE STATES THAT A NEW JOINT CHILE/JAPANESE COMPANY-CERRO COLORADO MINE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY-FORMED TO CONTINUE DEEP DIAMOND DRILLING AND PREPARE A FEASIBIL ITY REPORT. THE PERCENT OWNERSHIPS COME FROM THIS ARTICLE. NIPPON MINING COMPANY HOLDS 33% OF THE INTEREST IN THE NEW COMPANY. OTHER SHAREHOLDERS ARE MITSUBUSHI METAL CORP., MITSUI MINING AND SMELTING, SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., DOWN MINING CO, FURUKAWA MINING CO., AND NITTETSU MINING CO. RIO ALGOM LTD. IS OWNED 51.5% BY RTZ CORP.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1986
    Measured 70000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 70000000mt ore
    Total resources 70000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum Mo 0.015 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1986
    Copper Cu 1.38 wt-pct Copper Major 1986
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Measured 60000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 60000000mt ore
    Total resources 60000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.5 wt-pct Copper Major 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Measured 79000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 79000000mt ore
    Total resources 79000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.39 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 193000000mt ore
    Total resources 193000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.08 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1997
    Demonstrated 222000000mt ore
    Total resources 222000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.03 wt-pct Copper Major 1997
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 193000000mt ore
    Total resources 193000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.08 wt-pct Copper Major 1995

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • RIO ALGOM LTD., 1993 ANNUAL REPORT, P.23. DEVELOPMENT STARTED IN 1992 WITH POSSIBLE STARTUP IN 1994. OPEN PIT DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED END 1993 WITH THE REMOVAL OF 43 M MILLION MT OVERBURDEN & PROCESS PLANT 95% COMPLETE. FIRST CATHODE COPPER PRODUCED 2/94 WITH FULL PRODUCTION BY MID 1994. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: (RIO ALGOM LTD. 1993 AR, P.23.) 1991 - $ 16.6 M (CDN) 1992 - $ 124.8 M (CDN) 1993 - $ 208.8 M (CDN) TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES WERE $US 290 M FOR 40,000 MT CATHODE COPPER. ALREADY PLANNING 50% EXPANSION AT AN ADDITIONAL COST OF $US 50 M (10/94).

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Percent Waste Rock 50
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 1000
    Primary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Percentage 10
    Secondary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 90
    Hardness of Ore HARD ROCKS
    Capacity 14290
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1986

Comments on the workings information

  • AMOUNT AND DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL IS NOT KNOWN. AMOUNT OF RAINFALL WOULD BE VERY LITTLE AS AREA IS A DESERT. THE AVAILABILITY OF LABOR IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE. SOME EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL ARE AVAILABLE AS THERE HAVE BEEN NITRATE OPERATIONS AND THE SAGASCA CU MINE IS PRODUCING, BUT RELATIVE AMOUNT AVAILABLE IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    RTZ CORP., 1991 20F, P.11.

  • Reserve-Resource

    NORTHERN MINER, 6/28/93, P.B1,B10.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RIO ALGOM LTD., 1993 ANNUAL REPORT, P.23.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING JOURNAL, 1/24/86, P.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING JOURNAL, 8/15/88, P. 100

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING MAGAZINE, 4/89, P. 257.

  • Reserve-Resource

    THE NORTHERN MINER; RIO GETS CHILEAN MINE FINANCING, 6/8/92,

  • Reserve-Resource

    P. 3.

  • Reserve-Resource

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, V 14/N 3, 3/11/95, P.7,8.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RIO ALGOM LTD., 1994 ANNUAL REPORT, P.5.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RIO ALGOM LTD., 1996 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM. P.4.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, CHILE: UNEXPLOITED COPPER DEPOSITS: VOL.

  • Deposit

    282, P. 259.

  • Deposit

    SUTULOV, A.,ED., INTERNATIONAL MOLYBDENUM ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1778

  • Deposit

    1978, VOL.1, INTERMET PUBLISHERS, SANTIAGO, 1978, PP.53-54

  • Deposit

    ,61, 68.

  • Deposit

    DMA SERIES 150, MAP, SHEET OF 19-2, SCALE 1:250,000.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING, FEB. 1976.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, AUG. 15, 1979, P.119.

  • Deposit

    E/MJ, JULY, 1985, P.

  • Deposit

    E/MJ, NOV. 1985, P.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 12/4/85 P.

  • Deposit

    MINE DEVEL. BI MONTHLY, 12/31/85, P.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 2/17/89, P. 3

  • Deposit

    U.S. EMBASSY, TRIP REPORT, AUG. 26-31, 1988

  • Deposit

    CHARLES RIVER INC., CERRA COLORADO PROFILE REPORT, CONTRACT

  • Deposit

    # , 8/15/88.

  • Deposit

    GOLDER ASSOC., CERRO COLORADO PROFILE REPORT, CONTRACT #

  • Deposit

    FEB. 1980.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 8/3/89, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL; NEW PROPOSAL FOR CERRO COLORADO, 8/15/88,

  • Deposit

    P. 100.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE; TESTING AT CERRO, 4/89, P. 257.

  • Deposit

    LAML; RIO ALGOM TESTS AT CERRO COLORADO, 2/17/89, VOL. 8,

  • Deposit

    NO. 3, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    LAML, MIERA RIO ALGOM BEGINS TESTS IN CERRO COLORADO, VOL.

  • Deposit

    8, NO. 14, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK REPORT - MINERALS FOR CHILE FOR 1988,

  • Deposit

    P. 19.

  • Deposit

    LAML; RIO ALGOM FINANCE IN PLACE, 11/15/91, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    THE NORTHERN MINER; DIVIDEND WON'T SLOW RIO'S PLANS,

  • Deposit

    3/11/91, P. 18.

  • Deposit

    E&MJ, 10/91, P. 43.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL; RIO ALGOM'S PLANS FOR CERRO COLORADO,

  • Deposit

    5/15/92, P. 349.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL; APPROVAL AND FINANCE FOR CERRO COLORADO,

  • Deposit

    1/31/92, P. 76, 77.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 4/13/92, P. 6.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET; RIO ALGOM GIVEN COPPER MINE OK,

  • Deposit

    1/30/92, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    LAML; RIO ALGOM DETAILS PLANS FOR CERRO COLORADO, VOL. 11,

  • Deposit

    NO. 7, P. 3, 4, 5/12/92.

  • Deposit

    THE NORTHERN MINER; RIO ALGOM TO DEVELOP COPPER MINE IN

  • Deposit

    CHILE, 2/10/92, P. 18.

  • Deposit

    LAML, 4/28/92, P. 7, 8.

  • Deposit

    THE NORTHERN MINER; RIO GETS CHILEAN MINE FINANCING,

  • Deposit

    6/8/92, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    LAML; RIO ALGOM COMPLETES CERRO COLORADO FINANCING, 6/15/92,

  • Deposit

    P. 4.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 7/10/92, P. 26.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, 7/92, P. 669.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, 8/92, P. 123.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 1/17/86, P.42.

  • Deposit

    MINERALS AND MATERIALS, AUG./SEPT., 1985, P.15.

  • Deposit

    METALS BULLETIN MONTHLY, 3/92, P.97.

  • Deposit

    METALLOGENIC MAP OF CHILE, 1990, P.33 (NO. 3).

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, 11/92, P.6.

  • Deposit

    METALS BULLETIN MONTHLY, 9/92, P.79.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 4/17/92, P.277.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 7/31/92, P.4.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 4/18/93, P.4.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 9/30/93, P.3.

  • Deposit

    METAL BULLETIN, 12/9/93, P.15.

  • Deposit

    MINING WEEKLY, 11/26/93, P.1,2.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, 1/94, P.29.

  • Deposit

    NORTHERN MINER, 4/5/93, P.3.

  • Deposit

    MINERIA CHILENA, 5/93, P.7,9.

  • Deposit

    METAL BULLETIN MONTHLY, 10/94, P.73.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 9/16/94, P.5.

  • Deposit

    MINERIA CHILENA, CERRO COLORADO ESTUDIA EXPANSION A 60 MIL

  • Deposit

    TMA DE CATODOS, V 13/N 161, 11/94, P.75,77.

  • Deposit

    CRU INTERNATIONAL LTD., COPPER STUDIES, V 23/N 6, 12/95,

  • Deposit

    P.7,10.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 22-JUL-97 Porter, Kenneth E. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

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

Maps centered on this site