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Alcoa Arkansas Operations

Producer in Saline county in Arkansas, United States with commodities Aluminum, Gallium, Iron, Silica, Titanium, Water, Free
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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. Nearby scientific data
  9. Ore body information
  10. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  11. Mining district
  12. Mineral rights holdings
  13. Land status
  14. Ownership information
  15. Production statistics
  16. Workings at the site
  17. Links to other databases
  18. Bibliographic references
  19. General comments
  20. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10284005
MAS/MILS ID 0051250001
Record type Site
Current site name Alcoa Arkansas Operations

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -92.49186, 34.55842 (WGS84)
Elevation 125
Location accuracy 500(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Saline(county)

Arkansas(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Bryant(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Little Rock(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Little Rock(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Upper Saline(hydrologic unit)

Lower Ouachita(hydrologic accounting unit)

Lower Red-Ouachita(hydrologic subregion)

Lower Mississippi(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Arkansas Saline

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
5th Principal 002 S 014 W 15 Arkansas

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Aluminum Critical Primary
Gallium Critical Tertiary
Iron Tertiary
Silica Tertiary
Titanium Critical Tertiary
Water, Free Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Boehmite Unknown
Gibbsite Unknown
Halloysite Unknown
Kaolinite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) Igneous rocks
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Depth to top 45M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 LATERITE
    Shape of Orebody #1 LENTICULAR
    Primary mode of Origin RESIDUAL CONCENT
    Primary Ore Control BEDDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. UNKNOWN
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 UNKNOWN
    Minimum Depth to Top 20
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 45
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 20
    Date of Last Modification 840919
  • Area 2428HA
    Field Value
    Total Surface Area (HA) 2428
    Date of Last Modification 910418

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Both
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1886
Year of first production 1952
Milling method Hydrometallurgy Unspecified

Mining district

District name None

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Alcoa - Aluminum Co. Of America
    ID 300472
    Interest 100
    Home office Pennsylvania
    Year 1984

Production statistics

  • Year 1970
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 839346 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 839346mt
  • Year 1971
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 825902 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 825902mt
  • Year 1972
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 845720 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 845720mt
  • Year 1973
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 766305 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 766305mt
  • Year 1974
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 886991 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 886991mt
  • Year 1975
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 794736 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 794736mt
  • Year 1976
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 815631 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 815631mt
  • Year 1977
    Description Alumina And Hydrate 339000 Mt/Y
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Aluminum Aluminum 339000mt
  • Year 1977
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 780200 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 780200mt
  • Year 1978
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 711427 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 711427mt
  • Year 1980
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 765722 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 765722mt
  • Year 1981
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 700557 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 700557mt
  • Year 1982
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 520301 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 520301mt
  • Year 1983
    Description Bauxite Production (Dry Basis) 518400 Metric Tons Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Aluminum Aluminum 518400mt

Comments on the production information

  • UNIT PRODUCTION COST IS $128.15. HAD TO BE ROUNDED FOR DATA ENTRY TO $128.20.

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • M1C1=M9C4. ORE TONNAGES REPORTED ON A DRY EQUIVALENT BASIS. RESOURCE INCLUDING 1.96% DILUTION IS 38,000,000 MT AT 51% AL2O3 AND 13% SIO2. TONNAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE 16% MOISTURE.
  • EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY. GALLIUM RECOVERED AT ALUMINA PLANT, BUT HAS LITTLE AFFECT ON OVERALL ECONOMICS. AS OF 1987 PRODUCES NON-METALLURGICAL GRADE BAUXITE ONLY. AS OF JAN. 1993, ALL MINES ARE SHUTDOWN BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, IMPURITIES IN THE ORE, AND DEPTH. SUBSTATIAL RESERVES ARE STILL AVAILABLE. ALUMINA PROCESSING IS STILL ONGOING WITH ALUMINA COMING FROM POINT COMFORT, TEXAS PLANT WHERE FOREIGN BAUXITE IS BEING PROCESSED. NO BAUXITE PROCESSING IS BEING DONE AT THE ARKANSAS OPERATIONS (DOLZANI, JAN 1993) IN 1994, PLANS WERE ANNOUNCED TO CONVERT PLANT TO HYDRATE FACILITY, BY SHORTENING CYCLE TIMES, EXPAND CAP. BY 25%, UPGRADE EFFICIENCY.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 2428HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .9
    Percent Waste Rock 87.5
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 45
    Primary Material Cover SAND, SILT
    Secondary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Hardness of Ore HARDPAN
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 85
    Capacity 3096
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 16.11
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 260
    Operating Shifts per Day 1
    Year of Information 1984

Comments on other economic factors

  • OVERBURDEN THICKNESS VARIES FROM 0 TO 90 METERS. AVERAGE IN PRESENT PITS IS ABOUT 20 METERS. OVERALL AVERAGE IS ABOUT 45 METERS. MINE CAPACITY IS IN TERMS OF DILUTED ORE.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    ALCOA ALUMINA CHEMCIALS, AN ARKANSAS ASSET, 1987, COMPANY

  • Deposit

    BROCHURE ON THE ARKANSAS BAUXITE AND ALUMINA OPERATIONS.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 1974, INTERNATIONAL

  • Deposit

    WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ARKANSSAS?, 1987, ALCOA BROCHURE ON THE

  • Deposit

    BAUXITE MINE AND ALUMINA REFINERY.

  • Deposit

    FULLER, J.A., AND KRAUSE, J.R., 1961, OPEN PIT MINING OF

  • Deposit

    RAYMOND KAISER ENGINEERS, 1986, CAPITAL AND OPERATING COST

  • Deposit

    ESTIMATING SYSTEM FOR ALUMINA REFINERY FACILITIES, BUMINES

  • Deposit

    OFR 79-86, 177 PP.

  • Deposit

    ALCOA MINING OPERATIONS, BAUXITE, ARK.

  • Deposit

    SAWYER, MICHAEL B., 1984, USBM REVISED PROPERTY EVALUATION

  • Deposit

    FILE REPORT ON ALCOA'S ARKANSAS OPERATIONS, 54 P.

  • Deposit

    MALAMPHY, M.C., AND OTHERS, 1948, INVESTIGATION OF ARKANSAS

  • Deposit

    KRAMER, D. A., AND F. A. PETERS, COST ESTIMATE OF THE BAYER

  • Deposit

    PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ALUMINA BASED ON 1982 EQUIPMENT

  • Deposit

    PRICES BUMINES IC 8958, 20 P.

  • Deposit

    MCNISH, B.G., AND GAMMETER, W., 1979, NEUTRON ACTIVATOR

  • Deposit

    LABORATORY ANALYZER USED FOR RAPID ANALYSIS FOR ORE

  • Deposit

    BLENDING,STRIPPING, AND MINE CONTROL, PAPER PRESENTED AT

  • Deposit

    THE AIME ANNUAL MEETING, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, FEBRUARY

  • Deposit

    18-22, 1979, 3P.

  • Deposit

    MINING INTERNATIONAL YEARBOOK, 1978, FINANCIAL TIMES

  • Deposit

    LIMITED, LONDON, ENGLAND, P.477.

  • Deposit

    REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY, 1979, HURRICANE CREEK PLANT,

  • Deposit

    REYNOLDS PLANT GUIDE, BAUXITE, ARK.

  • Deposit

    STROUD, R.B., AND OTHERS, 1969, MINERAL RESOURCES AND

  • Deposit

    INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS, U.S. BUREAU OF MINES BULLETIN 645,

  • Deposit

    418P.

  • Deposit

    SURPLUS PROPERTY BOARD, 1945, ALUMINUM PLANTS AND

  • Deposit

    FACILITIES, REPORT OF THE SURPLUS PROPERTY BOARD TO THE

  • Deposit

    CONGRESS, 125P.

  • Deposit

    U.S. BUREAU OF MINES, 1953, MATERIALS SURVEY-BAUXITE, U.S.

  • Deposit

    GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASH., D.C.

  • Deposit

    U.S. TARIFF COMMISSION, 1946, ALUMINUM, WAR CHANGES IN

  • Deposit

    INDUSTRY SERIES REPORT NO.14, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING

  • Deposit

    OFFICE, WASH., D.C., 110P.

  • Deposit

    WEITZ, J.H., AND TROUGHT, M.E., 1944, BAUXITE AND ALUMINUM,

  • Deposit

    U.S. BUREAU OF MINES MINERALS YEARBOOK, P.666-696.

  • Deposit

    TAYLOR, ROBERT K., 1984, PERSONAL COMMUNICATION - PUBLIC

  • Deposit

    RELATIONS MANAGER, ALCOA ARKANSAS OPERATIONS, BAUXITE, ARK.

  • Deposit

    FOWLER, JOHN, 1984, PERSONAL COMMUNICATION - CHEMICAL

  • Deposit

    ENGINEER, ALCOA ARKANSAS OPERATIONS, BAUXITE, ARK.

  • Deposit

    MORITZ, JOHN, 1984, PERSONAL COMMUNICATION - PRODUCTION

  • Deposit

    MANAGER, RAW MATERIALS, ALCOA ARKANSAS OPERATIONS, BAUXITE,

  • Deposit

    ARK.

  • Deposit

    BUREAU OF MINES, 1970-1983, PROPRIETARY PRODUCTION STATIS-

  • Deposit

    TICS FILES FOR 1970 THROUGH 1983.

  • Deposit

    ALUMINUM COMPANY OF AMERICA, 1983, ANNUAL REPORT - ARKANSAS

  • Deposit

    OPERATIONS 1983, PROPRIETARY INTERNAL ALCOA REPORT, 8 P.

  • Deposit

    SHELTON, MIKE, 1984, PERSONAL COMMUNICATION - UNION PACIFIC

  • Deposit

    RAILROAD EMPLOYEE, OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

  • Deposit

    KRAMER, D.A., AND PETERS, F.A., 1983, COST ESTIMATE OF THE

  • Deposit

    BAYER PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ALUMINA - BASED ON 1982

  • Deposit

    EQUIPMENT PRICES, BUMINES IC8958, 20 P.

  • Deposit

    PETERS, F.A., JOHNSON, P.W., AND KIRBY, R.C., 1966, A COST

  • Deposit

    ESTIMATE OF THE BAYER PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ALUMINA,

  • Deposit

    BUMINES RI6730, 23 P.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit LABOR DATA SET COMMENTS: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE MINE AND MILL IS ESTIMATED FOR FULL-CAPACITY OPERATION AND FOR PRODUCTION OF METALLURGICAL-GRADE ALUMINA. ADMINISTRATION IS INCLUDED. ESTIMATE THE AVERAGE LABOR RATE, INCLUDING BURDEN, FOR BOTH MINE AND MILL LABOR IS ABOUT $24/HOUR. BASE LABOR RATE IS ESTIMATED FROM THIS $24/HOUR FIGURE ASSUMING THAT BURDEN IS ABOUT 35% OF THE BASE LABOR RATE. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MILL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION, IS ESTIMATED AT 1232. EQUIPMENT DATA SET COMMENTS: NUMBER OF PIECES OF EACH TYPE OF MILL EQUIPMENT IS USUALLY ESTIMATED. ONLY MAJOR ITEMS OF MINE AND MILL EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN LISTED. THIS PROPERTY REVIEWED 4-87. COMPANY INDICATED ABOUT 500,000 STPY PRODUCTION FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, RESERVES AT "15 TO 20 YEARS AT 500,000 STPY" NO MINE OR CHEMICAL PLANT IMPROVEMENTS SINCE LAST PEFR. CHEMICAL PLANT OPERATING AT ABOUT 60 PCT CAPACITY. OVERBURDEN THICKNESS VARIES FROM 0 TO 90 METERS AND AVERAGES ABOUT 45 METERS. PRESENT PITS HAVE ABOUT 20 METERS OF OVERBURDEN. ORE BODIES VARY FROM LESS THAN 1 HECTARE IN AREA TO OVER 100 HECTARES. ORE BODY THICKNESS VARIES FROM A FEW METERS TO ABOUT 15 METERS. AVERAGE IS 2-5 METERS. STRIKE IS VARIABLE, BUT GENERALLY NE-SW. DIPS ARE LOW, ON THE ORDER OF A FEW DEGREES.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 06-MAR-1995 Berg, Andrew W. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

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

Current status (per MSHA)

StatusAbandoned since 03/19/2004
MSHA mine ID0300472
Mine name (MSHA)Arkansas Operations Mine
Current operatorAlcoa 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.

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