Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Cuprite vs. Halite
While externally similar shapes, these two minerals are very different inside.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Spence Cu deposit, Antofagasta, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chilei
Regional Level Types
Spence Cu depositDeposit
AntofagastaCity
Antofagasta ProvinceProvince
AntofagastaRegion
ChileCountry

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
PhotosMapsSearch
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
23° 53' 17'' South , 69° 18' 51'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
-23.88833,-69.31417
GeoHash:
G#: 67y8neqbq
GRN:
S16W45
Type:
Deposit
Köppen climate type:
BWk : Cold desert climate
Mindat Locality ID:
191199
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:191199:5
GUID (UUID V4):
0


Porphyry copper deposit, discovered by RioChilex in 1996.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List


18 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Alunite
Formula: KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘ Atacamite
Formula: Cu2(OH)3Cl
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
ⓘ Brochantite
Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
ⓘ Chrysocolla
Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
ⓘ Covellite
Formula: CuS
ⓘ Cuprite
Formula: Cu2O
ⓘ Epidote
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Goethite
Formula: Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Hematite var. Specularite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Jarosite
Formula: KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘ 'Limonite'
ⓘ Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Natroalunite
Formula: NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ 'Tennantite Subgroup'
Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘCovellite2.CA.05aCuS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘMolybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘ'Tennantite Subgroup'2.GB.05Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘAtacamite3.DA.10aCu2(OH)3Cl
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘGoethite4.00.Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘCuprite4.AA.10Cu2O
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘvar. Specularite4.CB.05Fe2O3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘBrochantite7.BB.25Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
ⓘAlunite7.BC.10KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘJarosite7.BC.10KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘNatroalunite7.BC.10NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘGypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘEpidote9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘMuscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘvar. Sericite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘChrysocolla9.ED.20Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Unclassified
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Limonite'-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
Hⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Hⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Hⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Hⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ NatroaluniteNaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
OOxygen
Oⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
Oⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Oⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Oⓘ CupriteCu2O
Oⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Oⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ NatroaluniteNaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ Hematite var. SpeculariteFe2O3
Oⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
NaSodium
Naⓘ NatroaluniteNaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
AlAluminium
Alⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Alⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Alⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ NatroaluniteNaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Alⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Siⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SSulfur
Sⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ CovelliteCuS
Sⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Sⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Sⓘ NatroaluniteNaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S
ClChlorine
Clⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
KPotassium
Kⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Kⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
FeIron
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Feⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ Hematite var. SpeculariteFe2O3
CuCopper
Cuⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Cuⓘ CovelliteCuS
Cuⓘ CupriteCu2O
Cuⓘ Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S
AsArsenic
Asⓘ Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S
MoMolybdenum
Moⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Chile
South AmericaContinent
South America PlateTectonic Plate

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Cameron, Eion M.; Leybourne, Matthew I. (2005): Relationship between groundwater chemistry and soil geochemical anomalies at the Spence copper porphyry deposit, Chile. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 5, 135-145.
Cameron, Eion M.; Leybourne, Matthew I.; Palacios, Carlos (2007) Atacamite in the oxide zone of copper deposits in northern Chile: involvement of deep formation waters? Mineralium Deposita, 42 (3). 205-218 doi:10.1007/s00126-006-0108-0
Maskaev, V., Townley, B., Palacios, C., Camus, F. (2007) Metallic Ore Deposits. In The Geology of Chile. The Geological Society. p.179-200.
Reich, Martin, Palacios, Carlos, Parada, Miguel A., Fehn, Udo, Cameron, Eion M., Leybourne, Matthew I., Zúñiga, Alejandro (2008) Atacamite formation by deep saline waters in copper deposits from the Atacama Desert, Chile: evidence from fluid inclusions, groundwater geochemistry, TEM, and 36Cl data. Mineralium Deposita, 43 (6) 663-675 doi:10.1007/s00126-008-0184-4
Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., Moring, B.C. (2008) Porphyry copper deposits of the world: Database and grade and tonnage models, 2008. Open-File Report 2008-1155
Reich, Martin, Palacios, Carlos, Vargas, Gabriel, Luo, Shangde, Cameron, Eion M., Leybourne, Matthew I., Parada, Miguel A., Zúñiga, Alejandro, You, Cheng-Feng (2009) Supergene enrichment of copper deposits since the onset of modern hyperaridity in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Mineralium Deposita, 44 (5) 497-504 doi:10.1007/s00126-009-0229-3
Quick NavTopMineral ListOther RegionsReferences
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 29, 2026 06:11:20 Page updated: August 13, 2025 01:20:00
Go to top of page