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Chino

Plant in Grant county in New Mexico, United States with commodities Copper, Gold, 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. 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. Reserves and resources
  17. Workings at the site
  18. Links to other databases
  19. Bibliographic references
  20. General comments
  21. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10296543
MRDS ID D000578
MAS/MILS ID 0350170016
Record type Site
Current site name Chino
Related records 10135297

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -108.06731, 32.79181 (WGS84)
Elevation 1966
Location accuracy 100(meters)

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
New Mexico 017 S 012 W 34 NE New Mexico

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Molybdenum Secondary
Silver Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcocite Unknown
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Cuprite Unknown
Gold Unknown
Magnetite Unknown
Molybdenite Unknown
Silver Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -108.06731, 32.79181
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike N45E
    Dip 00W
    Thickness 425M
    Length 2500M
    Width 2000M
    Depth to top 50M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 3
    Type of Orebody #1 STOCKWORK
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #2 MASSIVE
    Type of Orebody #3 REPLACEMENT
    Primary mode of Origin OXIDATION
    Secondary mode of Origin CONT METASOMATIC
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control OTHER
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. MODERATE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 INTERM ARGILLIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #3 SILICIFICATION
    Strike And Dip N45E:00W
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 830531

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Plant
Commodity type Metallic
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1801
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1912
Plant type Leach
Plant subcategory Solvent Extraction-Electrowin
Milling method Leach-Solvent-Extract-Electrowin

Mining district

District name Central District

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership

Land status

Ownership category Mixed

Ownership information

  • Type Owner
    Owner Phelps Dodge Corp.
    ID 2900708
    Interest 66.7
    Home office Arizona
    Year 1995
  • Type Owner
    Owner Mitsubishi Corp.
    ID 2900708
    Interest 33.3
    Home office Japan
    Year 1995
  • Type Operator
    Owner Chino Mines Co.
    ID 2900708
    Home office Arizona
    Year 1995

Production statistics

  • Year 1974
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 6933000mt
    Description 6933000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1975
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 4813000mt
    Description 4813000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1976
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 6269000mt
    Description 6269000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1977
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 6174000mt
    Description 6174000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1978
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 5673000mt
    Description 5673000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1979
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 6553000mt
    Description 6553000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1980
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 4960000mt
    Description 4960000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1981
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 6870000mt
    Description 6870000 Metric Tons Ore/Year
  • Year 1982
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 4813000mt
    Description 44,730 Mt Cu Produced 4813000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 44730mt
  • Year 1983
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 9669000mt
    Description 96,607 Mt Cu Produced 9669000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 96607mt
  • Year 1984
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 12470000mt
    Description 87,906 Mt Cu Produced 12470000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 87906mt
  • Year 1985
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 12560000mt
    Description 125,502 Mt Cu Produced 12560000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 125502mt
  • Year 1986
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 13021000mt
    Description 102,293 Mt Cu & 592 Mt Mo Produced 13021000 Mt Ore Mined
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Minor Ore Molybdenum Molybdenum 592mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 102293mt
  • Year 1987
    Material Ore
    Ore mined 15605000mt
    Description Ore 15605000 Mt Ore Mined

Comments on the production information

  • ALSO HAS 653.6 MILLION MT LEACH MATERIAL @ 0.24% CU. PROD CAPACITY IS FOR SULFIDE ORE GOING TO SULFIDE CONCENTRATE RESERVE IN ADIT IS FOR SULFIDE MATERIAL- PROVEN + PROBABLE 1982-1985 PRODUCTION FROM STD OIL (OHIO) CORP (SOHIO) 1982- 1985 ANNUAL REPORTS 1986 PRODUCTION PROVIDED BY MINE STAFF CHINO MINE (PHONE CONVERSATION 7/87) THE 1987 PRODUCTION DATA IS FROM THE 1987 PHELPS DODGE ANNUAL REPORT P. 9.
  • BLISTER COPPER IS FIRE REFINED.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Measured 240300000mt ore
    Demonstrated 240300000mt ore
    Total resources 240300000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.69 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Measured 106800000mt ore
    Demonstrated 106800000mt ore
    Total resources 106800000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.34 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Indicated 91000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 91000000mt ore
    Total resources 91000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.8 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Indicated 270000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 270000000mt ore
    Total resources 270000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.27 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 286100000mt ore
    Total resources 286100000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.67 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 653600000mt ore
    Total resources 653600000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.24 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 269887000mt ore
    Total resources 269887000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.67 wt-pct Copper Major 1996
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 601100000mt ore
    Total resources 601100000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 0.2 g/mt Gold Minor 1996
    Molybdenum Mo 0.12 wt-pct Molybdenum Minor 1996
    Silver Ag 1.7 g/mt Silver Minor 1996
    Copper Cu 0.24 wt-pct Copper Major 1996
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1996
    Demonstrated 870900000mt ore
    Total resources 870900000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.37 wt-pct Copper Major 1996

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • THE QUANTITY IN Q2 IS BLANK BECAUSE THE TONNAGE OF LEACHABLE MATERIAL IS UNDETERMINED, ASSUMED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE PROPERTY. M2=Q/UNK. RESERVES 1987. MATRIX 1 COLUMN 1 EQUALS RESERVE 1. M3C1=R2. M9C4=R1

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 324HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .75
    Percent Waste Rock 50
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 60
    Primary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Percentage 100
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 40823
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 33343
    Unit Production Cost 2.47
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 365
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1988

Comments on other economic factors

  • THE FIRST MILL WAS BUILT IN 1911-GRAVITY MILL, 1924 BECAME A FLOTATION MILL, MODERNIZED IN 1938, MOLYBDENITE PLANT BUILT IN 1937. A NEW MILL WITH A CAPACITY OF 34013 MTPD WAS COMPLETED IN 1982. CURRENT CAPACITY IS 40,823 MTPD.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP SEC FORM 10-K REPT DEC 31, 1993, P. 12.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP SEC FORM 10-K REPT DEC 31, 1993, P. 11.

  • Reserve-Resource

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

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1994 ANNUAL REPORT, P.14,15.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1995 ANNUAL REPORT, P. 22.

  • Reserve-Resource

    PHELPS DODGE CORP., 1995 FORM 10-K REPORT, P. 11.

  • Deposit

    CO PROSPECTUS 1971 (TONS & GRADE, CONC GRD, MILL RCVRY).

  • Deposit

    BU MINES IC 7837 (CUTOFF GRD).

  • Deposit

    GIBSON,W AND TRUJILLO,A.,FROM INDIAN SCRAPINGS TO 85-TON TRU

  • Deposit

    CKS:THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINO,MINING ENGINEERING JAN 1966

  • Deposit

    P54-60

  • Deposit

    MSHA NUMBER ADDED BY MILS 4-80

  • Deposit

    PAY DIRT. KENNECOTT BEGINS COST-CUTTING DRIVE WITH

  • Deposit

    EXPANSION, MODERNIZATION AT CHINO, FEBUARY 1980, P.6.

  • Deposit

    PAY DIRT. MITSUBISHI TO BECOME ONE-THIRD PARTNER WITH

  • Deposit

    KENNECOTT AT CHINO OPERATIONS, JANUARY 1981,P. 10.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS' MINING REVIEW. KENNECOTT/MITSUBISHI TO MODERNIZE

  • Deposit

    CHINO COPPER SMELTER, OCTOBER 2, 1982.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS' MINING REVIEW. KENNECOTT COMPLETES PARTNERSHIP

  • Deposit

    WITH MITSUBISHI FOR CHINO, MARCH 14, 1981, P 8.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING SEPTEMBER 1982, P. 69.

  • Deposit

    KENNECOTT ANNUAL REPORT 1977, P 8; 1978, P 29; 1980 P 12&28.

  • Deposit

    PHELPS DODGE HAS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT, E&MJ AUG 1987,

  • Deposit

    PP. 24-31.

  • Deposit

    INVESTIGATION OF ALTERNATIVE SAG MILL RECYCLE TREATMENT

  • Deposit

    OPTIONS, MINERALS & METALLURGICAL PROCESSING, MAY 1986,

  • Deposit

    PP. 108-117.

  • Deposit

    SCHNEIDER, R.P., 1985 "CONCENTRATOR OPERATIONS AT CHINO

  • Deposit

    MINES CO. SME PREPRINT 85-138, SME-AIME ANNUAL MEETING,

  • Deposit

    NEW YORK, N.Y.

  • Deposit

    LEWIS, J.D., AND R.C. SMITH, KENNECOTT COPPER CORPORATION-

  • Deposit

    CHINO MINES DIVISION, FILE REPORT, SEPTEMBER 27, 1977.

  • Deposit

    GURTLER, DAVID J., DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF

  • Deposit

    ECONOMIC MATERIAL SPLITS AT CHINO MINES, MINING

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING, 4/90, P.343,344.

  • Deposit

    DILLARD, GARY, $10.4 MILLION PROJECT UPS MILL OUTPUT 5.9

  • Deposit

    PERCENT, SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 8/92, P4A-6A.

  • Deposit

    CHINO MINES CO., CONCENTRATOR PLANT DESCRIPTION, PRESENTED

  • Deposit

    AT ARIZONA SECTION, AIME MINERAL DRESSING DIVISION SPRING

  • Deposit

    MEETING, MAY 9, 1992.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, $16 MILLION CHINO MILL PROJECT TO UP

  • Deposit

    PRODUCTION, RECOVERY, 7/94, P.16A,17A.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, #670, 4/95, P.4A-8A.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit PHELPS DODGE IS INSTALLING A SX-EW PLANT DURING 2ND HALF OF 1988

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 14-FEB-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.

Current status (per MSHA)

StatusActive since 01/20/2011
MSHA mine ID2900708
Mine name (MSHA)Chino Mines Co Mine
Current operatorFreeport-McMoRan Chino Mines Company
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