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Oracle Mining District, Pima County, Arizona, USAi
Regional Level Types
Oracle Mining DistrictMining District
Pima CountyCounty
ArizonaState
USACountry

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PhotosSearch
07945190017361202543760.jpg
Actinolite, etc.

Leatherwood Mine group, Mount Bigelow, Pima County, Arizona, USA
07422510017272047477079.jpg
Garnet Group

Oracle Ridge Mine, Pima County, Arizona, USA
07680570017362896828830.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Oracle Ridge Mine, Pima County, Arizona, USA
07945190017361202543760.jpg
Actinolite, etc.

Leatherwood Mine group, Mount Bigelow, Pima County, Arizona, USA
07422510017272047477079.jpg
Garnet Group

Oracle Ridge Mine, Pima County, Arizona, USA
07680570017362896828830.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Oracle Ridge Mine, Pima County, Arizona, USA
07945190017361202543760.jpg
Actinolite, etc.

Leatherwood Mine group, Mount Bigelow, Pima County, Arizona, USA
07422510017272047477079.jpg
Garnet Group

Oracle Ridge Mine, Pima County, Arizona, USA
Latitude & Longitude:
32° North , 111° West (est.)
Estimate based on other nearby localities or region boundaries.
Margin of Error:
~153km
GRN:
N22W68
Type:
Mining District
Mindat Locality ID:
31342
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:31342:0
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Control Mining District; Old Hat Mining District; Santa Catalina Mining District


A Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn-Au-W-Mo mining area located in T10-12S, R14-16E on the North slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains, about 35 miles NE from Tucson. Only the southern portion of this district lies in Pima County. The remainder is located in Pinal County to the North.

Mineralization is varied: (1) Irregular copper sulfides with local disseminated scheelite in pyrometasomatic replacement deposits in folded and faulted Paleozoic limestone intruded by Laramide quartz diorite to quartz monzonite intrusives; (2) Irregular lead, zinc and copper sulfides, with minopr oxidation products, in pyrometasomatic replacements along a fault in Cambrian Abrigo Formation near Laramide quartz diorite intrusive; and, (3) Quartz veins with spotty gold or scheelite mineralization in Precambrian or Laramide metamorphics or intrusives.

The metalliferous mineralization in the Pima County section of this district occurs mainly in and around the Marble Peak area, where strong skarn or tactite replacements have developed in the pyrometamorphosed Paleozoic limestones, along with veinlets and disseminations of chalcopyrite, bornite, and locally scheelite. Lamprophyre, alaskite and quartz dikes and veins cut both the intrusive and metamorphosed formations and sometimes are closely associated with the sulfide mineralization. The copper mineralization appears to be localized by the intrusive contact, structural faults and fractures, and by the selective replacement of favorable limestone beds. The Abrigo Formation limestone seems to be especially receptivbe to skarn development and copper mineralization. Oxidation and enrichment are very minor since erosion has kept pace with any weathering action.

Workings include numerous relatively shallow adits, tunnels, pits and shafts worked sporadically since the early 1900's. Total production up through 1972 has been some 136,000 tons of ore containing about 3,000 tons of Cu, 94 tons of Pb, 25 tons of Zn, 118,000 oz. of Ag and 387 oz. Au.

Workings include shaft, pit, and tunnel operations.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.


Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

21 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Ankerite
Formula: Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
ⓘ Aragonite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ 'Biotite'
Formula: K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
Localities: Reported from at least 6 localities in this region.
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
Description: As sulfide-bearing veinlets.
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
Localities: Reported from at least 6 localities in this region.
Description: Occurs in gneiss associated with limestone.
ⓘ Chrysocolla
Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
ⓘ 'Copper Stain'
ⓘ Covellite
Formula: CuS
ⓘ Epidote
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ 'Garnet Group'
Formula: X3Z2(SiO4)3
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Ludwigite
Formula: Mg2Fe3+(BO3)O2
Description: Occurs in a contact zone.
ⓘ Magnetite
Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4
Description: Occurs in an ore deposit in gneiss associated with limestone.
ⓘ Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
ⓘ Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Native Gold
Formula: Au
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Scheelite
Formula: Ca(WO4)
Description: Spotty, in a metamorphosed Precambrian quartzite lens.
ⓘ Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Gold1.AA.05Au
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘCovellite2.CA.05aCuS
ⓘSphalerite2.CB.05aZnS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘMolybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘMagnetite4.BB.05Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘAnkerite5.AB.10Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
ⓘAragonite5.AB.15CaCO3
ⓘMalachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 6 - Borates
ⓘLudwigite6.AB.30Mg2Fe3+(BO3)O2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘScheelite7.GA.05Ca(WO4)
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
ⓘ'Biotite'-K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ'Garnet Group'-X3Z2(SiO4)3
ⓘ'Copper Stain'-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Hⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Hⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
BBoron
Bⓘ LudwigiteMg2Fe3+(BO3)O2
CCarbon
Cⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Cⓘ AragoniteCaCO3
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
OOxygen
Oⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Oⓘ AragoniteCaCO3
Oⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Oⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ LudwigiteMg2Fe3+(BO3)O2
Oⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Oⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
Oⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
FFluorine
Fⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Mgⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Mgⓘ LudwigiteMg2Fe3+(BO3)O2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Alⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Alⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Siⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Siⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
SSulfur
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ CovelliteCuS
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ SphaleriteZnS
KPotassium
Kⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Caⓘ AragoniteCaCO3
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
TiTitanium
Tiⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
FeIron
Feⓘ AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
Feⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ LudwigiteMg2Fe3+(BO3)O2
Feⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
CuCopper
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Cuⓘ CovelliteCuS
Cuⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
ZnZinc
Znⓘ SphaleriteZnS
MoMolybdenum
Moⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
WTungsten
Wⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
AuGold
Auⓘ Native GoldAu
PbLead
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS

Localities in this Region

USA
USA

Other Regions, Features and Areas that Intersect

Mexico
North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
USA

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

Hamilton, Patrick (1881) The Resources of Arizona - A Manual of Reliable Information Concerning the Territory. The Legislature of the Territory of Arizona. p.46
Tenny, J.B. (1928), Arizona Bureau of Mines Bull. 125 - The Mineral Industries of Arizona: 76.
Moore, B.N., et al (1941), Geology of the Tucson quadrangle, Arizona, USGS Open-file Report.
Peterson, N.P., and Creasey, S.C. (1943) Some copper deposits in the Old Hat mining district, Pima County, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report [unnumbered], 13 p., 13 sheets, scales 1:360, 1:600, and 1:1,200.
DuBois, R.L. (1959), Petrography and structures of a part of the gneissic complex of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, Arizona Geological Society, Southern Arizona Guidebook II: 117-127.
Fair, C.L. & Jinks, J.E. (1961), Santa Catalina foothills fault in the Pontotoc area, Arizona Geological Society Digest, vol. 4: 131-133.
Wilson, E.D. (1961) Gold Placers and Placering in Arizona. Arizona Bureau of Mines Bull. 168 (revised 1978): 61-62.
Keith, Stanton B. (1974), Arizona Bureau of Geology & Mineral Technology, Geological Survey Branch Bull. 189, Index of Mining Properties in Pima County, Arizona: 130 (113 ?) (Table 4).
(n.d.) ADMMR Mines Database, Arizona Geological Survey.
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