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Morenci Mine

Producer in Greenlee county in Arizona, United States with commodities Copper, Gold, Molybdenum, Silver, Gemstone, Lead, Zinc, Uranium, Gypsum-Anhydrite, REE, Talc-Soapstone, Garnet
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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. Workings at the site
  23. Links to other databases
  24. Bibliographic references
  25. General comments
  26. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10282444
MRDS ID M002216
MAS/MILS ID 0040110018
Record type Deposit
Current site name Morenci Mine
Alternate or previous names Morenci-Metcalf, Clay Ore Body

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Main Entrance
Geographic coordinates: -109.35375, 33.089 (WGS84)
Elevation 1370
Location accuracy 100(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Greenlee(county)

Arizona(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Clifton(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Clifton(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Clifton(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

San Francisco(hydrologic unit)

Upper Gila(hydrologic accounting unit)

Upper Gila(hydrologic subregion)

Lower Colorado(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Arizona Greenlee

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Gila and Salt River 004 S 029 E 08,09,15,16,17 Arizona

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Molybdenum Secondary
Silver Secondary
Gemstone Secondary
Lead Tertiary
Zinc Critical Tertiary
Uranium Tertiary
Gypsum-Anhydrite Tertiary
REE Critical Tertiary
Talc-Soapstone Tertiary
Garnet Tertiary

Comments on the commodity information

  • The Morenci porphyry copper deposit contains three types of copper ore minerals - oxide, secondary sulfide, and primary sulfide. The main oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla and malachite. The main secondary copper sulfide minerals are chalcocite and pyrite, and the main primary copper sulfide is chalcopyrite. There are many other primary and secondary minerals, including molybdenite, galena and sphalerite and two types of turquoise - hard, flawless blue and spider webbed. (FCX 2009 10-K and other sources)

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcocite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Andradite Ore
Argentite Ore
Molybdenite Ore
Pyrite Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Stromeyerite Ore
Argentite Ore
Azurite Ore
Chrysocolla Ore
Copper Ore
Covellite Ore
Cuprite Ore
Gold Ore
Malachite Ore
Molybdenite Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Galena Ore
Allophane Gangue
Alunite Gangue
Goethite Gangue
Gypsum Gangue
Hematite Gangue
Jarosite Gangue
Magnetite Gangue
Nontronite Gangue
Opal Gangue
Talc Gangue
Tremolite Gangue
Tenorite Unknown
Turquoise Unknown

Alteration

  • (Local) Intense Hydrothemal Alteration
  • (Local) Potassic, sericitic, propylitic, argillic

Analytical data

Result 0.10-0.15% CU, 3-5% PYRITE IN PROTORE
Result AVG=1:80 BUT MINED RATIO IS 1:50

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 79
USGS model code 21a
Deposit model name Porphyry Cu-Mo
Mark3 model number 2

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Granitoid > Granite
    Rock type qualifier comprising an older Morenci Granodiorite and the younger Metcalf Granite
    Rock unit name Granite-Granodiorite Complex
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Granitoid > Quartz Monzonite
    Rock type qualifier Ranging from diorite to granite-rhyolite
    Rock unit name Mulit-phase intrusions
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Tertiary
    Chronological age 55.2
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate > Limestone
    Rock type qualifier Paleozoic-Mesozoic sequence of quartzites, carbonates and shales
    Rock unit name Coronado Quartzite; Longfellow Limestone; Morenci Limestone; Modoc Limestone and Pinkard Formation
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic age (oldest) Cambrian
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Schist
    Rock type qualifier sericite schist and quartzite
    Rock unit name Pinal Schist
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Mesoproterozoic

Nearby scientific data

Main Entrance (1) -109.35375, 33.089
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Local
Structure name NE and E striking Laramide faults

Ore body information

  • Strike N50E
    Dip 45W
    Thickness 200M
    Length 2000M
    Width 1700M
    Area 3500HA
    Depth to top 90M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 SHEAR ZONE
    Shape of Orebody #1 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #2 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #2 LENTICULAR
    Shape of Orebody #3 DOMELIKE
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Secondary mode of Origin OXIDATION
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 ADV ARGILLIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #3 SILICIFICATION
    Strike And Dip N50E:45W
    Minimum Depth to Top 15
    Total Surface Area (HA) 3500
    Date of Last Modification 810507
  • General form ELLIPTICAL
    Plunge direction E
    Thickness 259.08M
    Length 1341.12M
    Width 853.44M
    Depth to top 76.2M
    Depth to bottom 701.04M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Trending Fissures

Comments on the geologic information

  • District is zoned with a chalcopyrite-rich core surrounded by a pyrite envelope which is surrounded by protore. Ag and Au more abundant in less altered areas. Greatest Mo concentrations are in granite porphyry, less in precambrian granite.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Large
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1865
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1942
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Morenci
District name Copper Mountain District

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Owner
    Owner Phelps Dodge Corp.
    ID 200024
    Interest 85
    Home office Arizona
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Sumitomo Metal Mining Arizona Inc.
    ID 200024
    Interest 15
    Home office Japan
    Year 1994
  • Type Operator
    Owner Phelps Dodge Corp.
    ID 200024
    Home office Arizona
    Year 1994
  • Type Joint Venture Operator
    Owner Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc
    Interest 85
    Home office One North Central Avenue\nPhoenix AZ 85004 \nUnited States
    Year 2009
    First year 2007

Comments on the ownership information

  • Mine Address: Phelps Dodge Corporation Morenci, Az 85540 Corporate Headquarters: Phelps Dodge Corp. 2600 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, Az 85004 Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Purchased 15% Of Morenci-Metcalf Property For $75,000,000 In Early 1986. (Phelps Dodge 1986 Ann Rept, P. 2 & 22.)
  • Morenci is the largest copper producer in North America and remains a major contributor to Phelps' copper output, which is second only to that of Chile's Codelco. In 1986, Phelps Dodge Morenci, Inc. was established as a partnership between Phelps Dodge Mining Company (85%) and Sumitomo Metal Mining Arizona Inc. The latter belongs to Sumitomo Corp. (75%) and Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd.

Production statistics

  • Year 1932
    Period 1872-1932
    Description Cu Prod (1872-1932) 1005000 Mt Cu
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 1005000mt
  • Year 1973
    Period 1942-1973
    Description Cu Prod (1942-1973) 3061000 Mt Cu
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 3061000mt
  • Year 1975
    Period 1942-1975
    Material Ore
    Accuracy Estimate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct
    Minor Ore Molybdenum Molybdenum 0wt-pct
  • Year 1975
    Ore mined 16174000mt
    Description Ore Mined 16174000 Mt Ore
  • Year 1976
    Ore mined 18705000mt
    Description Ore Mined 18705000 Mt Ore
  • Year 1977
    Ore mined 15727000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ore Mined 15727000 Mt Ore
  • Year 1978
    Ore mined 10269000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Sulfide Ore Mined, Metcalf, Pd Ann Rep 1980 10269000 Metric Tons
  • Year 1978
    Ore mined 16271000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Sulfide Ore Mined, Morenci, Pd Ann Rep 1980 16271000 Metric Tons
  • Year 1979
    Ore mined 19694000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Sulfide Ore Mined, Morenci, Pd Ann Rep 1980 19694000 Metric Tons
  • Year 1979
    Ore mined 8368000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Sulfide Ore Mined, Metcalf, Pd Ann Rep 1980 8368000 Metric Tons
  • Year 1980
    Ore mined 16048000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Sulfide Ore Mined, Morenci, Pd Ann Rep 1980 16048000 Metric Tons
  • Year 1980
    Ore mined 2192000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Sulfide Ore Mined, Metcalf, Pd Ann Rep 1982 2192000 Metric Tons
  • Year 1981
    Ore mined 26073000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.74% Cu 26073000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major CU - leach pit Copper Copper 43586mt
    Major CU - ore Copper Sulfide Copper 132345mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 288mt
  • Year 1982
    Ore mined 14069000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.71% Cu 14069000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major CU - leach pit Copper Copper 34353mt
    Major CU - ore Copper Sulfide Copper 68707mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 150mt
  • Year 1983
    Ore mined 31209000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.73% Cu 31209000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major CU - leach pit Copper Copper 31370mt
    Major CU - ore Copper Sulfide Copper 130276mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 237mt
  • Year 1984
    Ore mined 34324000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.84% Cu 34324000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major CU - leach pit Copper Copper 27357mt
    Major CU - ore Copper Sulfide Copper 170006mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 266mt
  • Year 1985
    Ore mined 33492000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.86% Cu 33492000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major CU - leach pit Copper Copper 24144mt
    Major CU - ore Copper Sulfide Copper 125540mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 258mt
  • Year 1986
    Ore mined 35993000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.84% Cu 35993000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major CU - leach pit Copper Copper 25520mt
    Major CU - ore Copper Sulfide Copper 116999mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 237mt
  • Year 1987
    Description Leach Dump/Sx-Ew Plt Opens 6511 Mt Cu From Sx-Ew Plt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 6511mt
  • Year 1987
    Ore mined 36055000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.82% Cu 36055000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 220138mt
    Major CU - ore Copper Sulfide Copper 220138mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Ore Molybdenum Molybdenum 372mt
  • Year 1988
    Description 3582 Mt Cu From Ppt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PPT Copper Copper 2582mt
  • Year 1988
    Description 45600 Mt Cu From Sx-Ew Plt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 45600mt
  • Year 1988
    Ore mined 37125000mt
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.83% Cu 37125000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 220371mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 467mt
  • Year 1989
    Description 57557 Mt Cu From Sx-Ew Plt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 57557mt
  • Year 1989
    Description Leach Dump/Cu Ppt Plt Closed 2871 Mt Cu From Ppt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PPT Copper Copper 2871mt
  • Year 1989
    Ore mined 36885000mt
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.79% Cu 36885000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary CU Copper Copper 57500mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Molybdenum Molybdenum 858mt
  • Year 1990
    Description 91092 Mt Cu From Sx-Ew Plt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 91092mt
  • Year 1990
    Ore mined 39106000mt
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.74% Cu 39106000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 213418mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 215mt
  • Year 1990
    Description 213418 Mt Cu Prod From Ore
  • Year 1991
    Description 108363 Mt Cu From Sx-Ew Plt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 108363mt
  • Year 1991
    Ore mined 40396000mt
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.69% Cu 40396000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 202075mt 1wt-pct
    Minor Molybdenum Molybdenum 454mt
  • Year 1992
    Material Prod From Sx-Ew Plt
    Description 147690 Mt Cu Prod From Sx-Ew Plt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 147690mt
  • Year 1992
    Ore mined 42240000mt
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.67% Cu 42240000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 205477mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1993
    Material millable ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405 http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 42629000mt
    Description Grade Of Ore Mined: 0.0.67% Cu 42629000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct
  • Year 1993
    Material leach ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405 http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 156074000mt
    Description 154900 Mt Cu Prod From Sx-Ew Plt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 154900mt
  • Year 1994
    Material leach ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405 http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 177318000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 172500mt
  • Year 1994
    Material millable ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405 http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 40823000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 197100mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1995
    Material leach ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 196841000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 204700mt
  • Year 1995
    Material millable ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405 http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 39916000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 192000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1996
    Material millable ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405 http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 42638000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 224200mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1996
    Material leach ore;\nPhelps Dodge 1996 10-K405\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/0000950147-97-000155.txt
    Ore mined 226796000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 238100mt
  • Year 1997
    Material millable ore; \nPhelps Dodge 2001 10-K http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 42638000mt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 244800mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1997
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2001 10-K http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 220446000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 247000mt 0wt-pct
  • Year 1998
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2001 10-K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 218631000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 250200mt 0wt-pct
  • Year 1998
    Material millable ore; \nPhelps Dodge 2001 10-K http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 42638000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 224300mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1999
    Material millable ore;\nPhelps Dodge 2001 10-K http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 34473000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 177100mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1999
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2001 10-K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 234961000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 258300mt 0wt-pct
  • Year 2000
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2001 10-K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 224982000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary electrowon Copper Copper 258300mt 0wt-pct
  • Year 2000
    Material millable ore; \nPhelps Dodge 2001 10-K http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 23587000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 120000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 2001
    Material millable ore;\nPhelps Dodge 2001 10-K http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 3629000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 21300mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 2001
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2001 10-K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015302000502/p66069e10-k405.htm
    Ore mined 251290000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary leach electrowon Copper Copper 333900mt 0wt-pct
  • Year 2002
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2005 10K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015306000504/p71867e10vk.htm
    Ore mined 224982000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary leach electrowon Copper Copper 374400mt 0wt-pct
  • Year 2003
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2005 10K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015306000504/p71867e10vk.htm
    Ore mined 215003000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary leach electrowon Copper Copper 382100mt 0
  • Year 2004
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2005 10K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015306000504/p71867e10vk.htm
    Ore mined 212281000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary leach electrowon Copper Copper 381300mt 0
  • Year 2005
    Material leach ore; Phelps Dodge 2005 10K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015306000504/p71867e10vk.htm
    Ore mined 231332000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary leach electrowon Copper Copper 362900mt 0
  • Year 2006
    Material Phelps Dodge 2006 10-K\nhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015307000431/p73493e10vk.htm
    Ore mined 245847000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary leach electrowon Copper Copper 355000mt 0
  • Year 2006
    Material millable ore; \nPhelps Dodge 2006 10-K http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78066/000095015307000431/p73493e10vk.htm
    Ore mined 3629000mt
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary in concentrates Copper Copper 15000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 2007
    Material FCX 2010 10-K\nhttp://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=63811&p=irol-sec
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 367000mt
  • Year 2008
    Material FCX 2009 10-K\nhttp://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=63811&p=irol-sec
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 334000mt
  • Year 2009
    Material FCX 2010 10-K\nhttp://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=63811&p=irol-sec
    Accuracy Accurate
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary recoverable Copper Copper 228000mt

Comments on the production information

  • During 2006, Morenci mined 247 Million tons of ore, milled 4.1 Million tons grading 0.56% Cu, placed 230.70 Million tons of ore onto leach pads, recovered 14,993 tons copper in concentrate and electrowon 355,574 tons of copper cathode. (www.mining-technology.com/projects/morenci/)

Reserves and resources

  • Type Milling
    Name Milling material
    Estimate year 2010
    Reserves 491000000mt ore
    Remarks FCX 2010 10K, p. 33.
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.46 wt-pct Copper Primary 2010
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 2008
    Total endowment 6470000000mt ore
    Remarks Singer, 2008.
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.542 wt-pct Copper Primary 2008
    Gold 0.028 g/mt Gold Secondary 2008
    Silver 1.6 g/mt Silver Secondary 2008
    Molybdenum 0.0095 wt-pct Molybdenum Secondary 2008
  • Type Milling
    Name milling material
    Estimate year 2009
    Reserves 178000000mt
    Remarks Freeport-McMoRan 2009 10-K, p. 33\nhttp://www.fcx.com/ir/downloads/FCX_2009Form_10-K.pdf
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.55 wt-pct Copper Primary 2009
    Molybdenum 0.025 wt-pct Molybdenum Secondary 2009
  • Type Leaching
    Name Leaching Material
    Estimate year 2010
    Reserves 664000000mt ore
    Remarks FCX 2010 10K, p. 33.
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.58 wt-pct Copper Primary 2010
  • Type Leaching
    Name crushed leach
    Estimate year 2009
    Reserves 365000000mt
    Remarks Freeport-McMoRan 2009 10-K, p. 33 \nhttp://www.fcx.com/ir/downloads/FCX_2009Form_10-K.pdf
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.62 wt-pct Copper Primary 2009
  • Type Milling
    Estimate year 1994
    Measured 46820000mt ore
    Demonstrated 468200000mt ore
    Total resources 468200000mt ore
    Remarks PROVEN + PROBABLE MILLING RESERVES AS OF 12/31/94\n
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper sulfides for milling 0.69 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type Leaching
    Name low-grade run-of-mine leach material
    Estimate year 2009
    Reserves 2623000000mt
    Remarks Freeport-McMoRan 2009 10-K, p. 33 \nhttp://www.fcx.com/ir/downloads/FCX_2009Form_10-K.pdf
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.21 wt-pct Copper Primary 2009
  • Type Leaching
    Estimate year 1994
    Measured 105200000mt ore
    Demonstrated 1052200000mt ore
    Total resources 1052200000mt ore
    Remarks PROVEN + PROBABLE LEACHING RESERVES AS OF 12/31/94
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper oxides for leaching 0.31 wt-pct Copper Primary 1994
  • Type Combined
    Name Run of mine (ROM) leachable ore
    Estimate year 2010
    Reserves 3601000000mt ore
    Remarks FCX 2010 10K, p. 33.
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.18 wt-pct Copper Primary 2010
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1975
    Total resources 3856000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper 0.77 wt-pct Copper Major 1975
  • Type Combined
    Name milling and leaching mineralized material
    Estimate year 2009
    Reserves 3169000000mt
    Remarks Freeport-McMoRan 2009 10-K, p. 40\nhttp://www.fcx.com/ir/downloads/FCX_2009Form_10-K.pdf
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Molybdenum 0.002 wt-pct Molybdenum Secondary 2009
    Copper 0.25 wt-pct Copper Primary 2009
  • Type Milling
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 1077400000mt ore
    Total resources 1077400000mt ore
    Remarks TOTAL DEMONSTRATED MILLING RESOURCE AS OF 12/31/94
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper sulfides for milling 0.64 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
  • Type Leaching
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 2506500000mt ore
    Total resources 2506500000mt ore
    Remarks TOTAL DEMONSTRATED LEACHING RESOURCE AS OF 12/31/94
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper oxides for leaching 0.3 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1963
    Total resources 9780000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    REE REE 0.05 wt-pct REE Trace 1963
  • Type Milling
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 391000000mt ore
    Total resources 391000000mt ore
    Remarks PROV. + PROB. MILLING RES. AS OF 12/31/95\n
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper sulfides for milling 0.72 wt-pct Copper Major 1996
  • Type Leaching
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 993000000mt ore
    Total resources 993000000mt ore
    Remarks PROV. + PROB. LEACHING RES. AS OF 12/31/95\n
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper oxides for leaching 0.31 wt-pct Copper Major 1996

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • Other Name: Clay Ore Body. Includes Both The Morenci And Metcalf Mine/Mill. Expansion To L-Sx-Ew Plant Requires Evaluation. Western Mining Claim, Located Between Morenci And Metcalf, Is Controlled By Phelps Dodge. Expansion Into Nw Extension Needs Evaluation. Reserves/Reserves As Of 12/31/94 From Phelps Dodge Corp. 1994 Form 10-K, P.12,14. Proven & Probable Reserves: (Million Mt) Milling Ore Leaching Ore Morenci 433.4 M Mt @ 0.72% Cu 1082.5 M Mt @ 0.32% Cu Measured & Indicated Resource: (Million Mt) Coronado 163.0 M Mt @ 0.69% Cu 281.0 M Mt @ 0.29% Cu Western Copper 481.0 M Mt @ 0.55% Cu 454.0 M Mt @ 0.31% Cu Garfield 689.0 M Mt @ 0.28% Cu Total 1077.4 M Mt @ 0.64% Cu 2506.5 M Mt @ 0.30% Cu Gold, Silver And Molybdenum Grades Only Apply To Sulfide Ore But Are Shown As A Weighted Average Grade For Adit. Demonstrated Adit Total= Milling+Leaching Reserves. 12/31/95.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface/Underground
    Area 710HA
    Overall length 2133.6M
    Overall width 1219.2M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .42
    Percent Waste Rock 52.2
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 37
    Capacity 99790
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 1.8
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 365
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1988

Comments on the environmental information

  • Located in the transitional zone between the stable Colorado Plateau and the extensional Basin and Range province.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Development

    The Metals Economics Group website has a page covering the Morenci mine. http://www.metalseconomics.com/

  • Reserve-Resource

    Freeport-McMoRan 2008 Form 10-K

  • Age

    McDowell, F.W., 1971, K-Ar ages of igneous rocks from the western United States; Isochron/West: A Bulletin of Isotopic Geochronology, v. 2, p. 1-16.

  • Other Database

    CIMRI

  • General

    Enders M S, Knickerbocker C, Titley S R and Southam G, 2006 - The Role of Bacteria in the Supergene Environment of the Morenci Porphyry Copper Deposit, Greenlee County, Arizona : in Econ. Geol. v101 pp 59-70.

  • Geology

    TITLEY,S.R.,HICKS,C.L.,1966; GEOLOGY OF THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS SOUTHWESTERN NORTH AMERICA

  • Deposit

    Holick, P.A., and Wood, S.A., 1999, Fluid-inclusion study of the Morenci porphyry copper deposit, Arizona; metal content of the ore-forming brine (abs.): Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 31, no. 7, p. 404.

  • General

    Melchiorre E B, Enders M S 2003 - Stable isotope geochemistry of Copper Carbonates at the Northwest Extension deposit, Morenci district, Arizona: implications for conditions of supergene oxidation and related mineralization: in Econ. Geol. v98 pp 607-621

  • Deposit

    BUTLER & WILSON, 1938, ABM BULL. 145, P. 72-80.

  • Geology

    LANGTON,J.M.,2/72;ORE GENSIS IN THE MORENCI-METCALF DISTRICT AIME TRANSACTIONS VOL 254 9/73

  • Reserve-Resource

    Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C., 2008, Porphyry copper deposits of the world: database and grade and tonnage models, 2008: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155, 45 p. http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1155/

  • Geology

    Enders, M.S., Titley, S. R. and Hertle, M. P., 1997, Thick supergene enrichment blankets - lessons from the Morenci District, Arizona; Mining Engineering, vol. 49, no. 11, Supplement, 62 p.

  • Deposit

    LANGTON, 1971, AIME TRANS., V. 254, P. 247-257.

  • General

    Moolick R T, Durek J J 1966 - The Morenci district: in Titley S R, Hicks C L 1966 Geology of the Porphyry Copper Deposits, Southwestern North America University of Arizona Press, Tucson pp 221-231.

  • Geology

    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.

  • Deposit

    LINDGREN, 1905, USGS PROF PAPER 43.

  • Deposit

    PHILIPS AND OTHERS, 1990.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1993 FORM 10-K, P.12.

  • Geology

    Enders, M.S., 2000, The evolution of supergene enrichment in the Morenci porphyry copper deposit, Greenlee County, Arizona: Tucson, University of Arizona, Ph.D. dissertation, 517 p.

  • Deposit

    PEIRCE, H.W., 1990, ARIZONA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY INDUSTRIAL MINERAL CARD FILES.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1994 FORM 10-K, P.12,14.

  • Geology

    Enders, M.S., Knickerbocker, C., Titley, S.R., and Southam, G., 2006, The role of bacteria in the supergene environment of the Morenci porphyry copper deposit, Greenlee County, Arizona: Economic Geology, v. 101, p. 59-70.

  • Deposit

    TITLEY AND HICKS, 1966, GEOLOGY OF THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS IN SOUTHWESTERN NORTH AMERICA, P. 221-231.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1994 ANNUAL REPORT, P.14.

  • Geology

    Melchiorre, E.B., and Enders, M.S., 2003, Stable isotope geochemistry of copper carbonates at the northwest expension deposit, Morenci district, Arizona: indications of conditions of supergene oxidation and related mineralization: Economic Geology, v. 98, p. 607?621.

  • Geology

    The Porter GeoConsultancy website has a webpage covering the Morenci mine. http://www.portergeo.com.au/database/mineinfo.asp?mineid=mn741

  • Deposit

    BLAIR, GERRY, 1992, THE ROCKHOUND'S GUIDE TO ARIZONA: HELENA, MONTANA, FALCON PRESS, 165 P.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1994 ANNUAL REPORT, P.22.

  • Deposit

    PHILLIPS, K.A., 1987, ARIZONA INDUSTRIAL MINERALS: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND MINERAL RESOURCES MINERAL REPORT 4, 185 P.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1995 FORM 10-K.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GREELEY, 1976, P. 86; 1990 ESTIMATE FROM PHILIPS AND OTHERS, 1990.

  • Deposit

    PAYDIRT, 1981, PHELPS DODGE, A COPPER CENTENNIAL, 1881-1981. 192 P.

  • Deposit

    PHELPS DODGE TODAY, 1979, AUGUST, V.1, NO. 1 (MOLY PLANT).

  • Deposit

    PHELPS DODGE TODAY, 1980, SEPTEMBER, V.2, NO. 3 (NEW FLOT.COST)

  • Deposit

    U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, 1979, CAPITAL AND OPERATING COST

  • Deposit

    PHELPS DODGE HAS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT. E&MJ AUG. 1987, PP. 24-31.

  • Deposit

    PAY DIRT JAN 1986 P19A AND DEC. 1987 PP4A&5A.

  • Deposit

    PHELPS DODGE 1986 ANNUAL REPORT EINAUDI, MARCO T., IN "ADVANCES IN GEOLOGY OF THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS-SOUTHWESTERN NORTH AMERICA", 1982, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA PRESS, P.168,169.

  • Deposit

    WALENGA, KAREN, SX-EW PRODUCTION DOUBLED TO 200 MILLION 25PPY, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 4/90, P.4A-6A.

  • Deposit

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., NEWS RELEASE, 12/19/90, 2PP.

  • Deposit

    EPLER, BILL, PHELPS DODGE FINDS 150 MILLION MORE TONS OF ORE AT MORENCI, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 1/91, P.3A.

  • Deposit

    EPLER, BILL, PHELPS DODGE RELOCATES HIGHWAY AT MORENCI MINE, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 7/91, P.4A-6A.

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, FOUR MAJOR OREBODIES WILL SHOULDER THE LOAD, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 11/91, P.4A-14A.

  • Deposit

    CARTER, RUSSELL A., EXPANSION ALMOST COMPLETE AT ARIZONA'S MISSION AND MORENCI MINES, ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 2/92, C14-C16.

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, HEFTY CRAWLER RIG MOVES 3,000 TONS OF PARTS, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 3/92, P.4A-9A.

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, PD HITTING A MILLION POUNDS A DAY OF ELECTRO- WON, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 7/92, P.4A-8A.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, 8/5/92, P.3.

  • Deposit

    METAL BULLETIN MONTHLY, 8/92, P.47.

  • Deposit

    DOWALL, WILLIAM M., AND LINDE, TERRY B., MORENCI'S IN-PIT CRUSHING AND CONVEYING SYSTEM, MINING ENGINEERING, 3/93, P.257-262

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, PHELPS DODGE IS CONTEMPLATING SX-EW EXPANSION AT MORENCI, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 5/94, P.3A,8A.

  • Deposit

    PHELPS DODGE CORP, NEWS RELEASE, 6/9/94, P.1.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 6/13/94, P.1,5.

  • Deposit

    CANEY, DEREK J., PD SETS $200M FOR MINE EXPANSION, AMERICAN METAL MARKET, 6/14/94, P.16.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS', 6/18/94, P.11.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, 6/22/94, P.1.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 7/94, P.3A.

  • Deposit

    RHOADES, DAVID, TWO NEW P&H 40-YARDERS HELP BOOST PRODUCTION, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 7/94, P.5A-7A.

  • Deposit

    SNIDER, T.R., MORENCI SOUTHSIDE WILL ADD 150 MILLION POUNDS OF CATHODE, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 8/94, P.3A.

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, CHALLENGES OF 2 SAFFORD PROJECTS APPEAR WITHOUT STANDING, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 2/95, P.9A,10A.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, V 106/N 28, 7/12/95, P.8.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
General Property includes: Northwest Extension; Southside Expansion; Garfield; and Shannon Deposits
Deposit Enrichment blanket ranges from 50 to 1000 ft thick and thickens from W to E. Turquoise found in the oxidized part of the deposit. Massive andradite is found in a scarn deposit at the southwest corner of the large open pit.
Deposit Associated Deposits: Metcalf (porphyry), Modoc skarn

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 02-OCT-96 Geroyan, Rena U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-FEB-83 Peterson, Jocelyn A. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-OCT-92 Orris, Greta J. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 01-MAY-93 Carbonaro, Marguerite M. U.S. Geological Survey

Beyond USGS

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

Current status (per MSHA)

StatusActive since 12/03/1971
MSHA mine ID0200024
Mine name (MSHA)Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc.
Current operatorFreeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc.
Current controller (parent)Freeport-McMoRan Inc
Mine typeSurface (Metal / non-metal)

MSHA cross-reference per the original MRDS record. Mine status and operator reflect MSHA's last published Mines export (February 2025); MSHA's public bulk feed has been unavailable since, so this may be out of date. See the Mine Data Retrieval System for current status.

Open MSHA's Mine Data Retrieval System for inspections, accidents, and violations for this mine.

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 Corp. — 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.

External references

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.