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Mineral Hill Mines (Azurite group; Old Azurite Mine; Copper Glance Mine), Mineral Hill, Mission complex, San Xavier, Pima Mining District, Sierrita Mountains, Pima County, Arizona, USAi
Regional Level Types
Mineral Hill Mines (Azurite group; Old Azurite Mine; Copper Glance Mine)Group of Mines
Mineral HillHill
Mission complexComplex
San Xavier- not defined -
Pima Mining DistrictMining District
Sierrita MountainsMountain Range
Pima CountyCounty
ArizonaState
USACountry

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
31° 59' 12'' North , 111° 5' 14'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
31.98667,-111.08750
GRN:
N22W67
Type:
Group of Mines
Köppen climate type:
BSk : Cold semi-arid (steppe) climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Sahuarita25,707 (2017)12.8km
Summit5,372 (2011)15.6km
East Sahuarita1,622 (2006)15.8km
Valencia West9,355 (2011)16.4km
Green Valley21,391 (2011)17.2km
Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
ClubLocationDistance
Old Pueblo Lapidary ClubTucson, Arizona30km
Tucson Gem and Mineral SocietyTucson, Arizona30km
Mindat Locality ID:
36255
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:36255:0
GUID (UUID V4):
0


A former small underground Cu-Ag-Au-Pb-Zn-Mo-W-Wollastonite mine located in the S½ sec. 35, T16S, R12E & the N½ sec. 2, T17S, R12E, 2.2 km W of Helmet Peak on private land. Discovered 1882. Produced 1882-1956. Owned/operated at times, or in part, by the Mineras Consolidated Copper Co., Emporer Copper Co.; Mineral Hill Mining Co.; Copper King Co.; Azurita Copper & Gold Co.; Mineral Hill Consolidated Copper Co.; Barnsdall Corp.; and the Banner Mining Co.

Mineralization is sporadic and irregular, pyrometasomatic and manto replacement ore bodies, partly oxidized, of copper sulfides with minor lead and zinc in garnetized or brecciated Paleozoic limestone, often at fault and fracture intersections and near or on a Laramide intrusive contact. Spotty scheelite and molybdenite with pyrite in garnetized zones. Depth to bottom of ore zone is 213.36 meters.

Local geologic structures include brecciated limestone, fault and fracture intersections and the Mineral Hill Thrust Fault.

Ore graded 3-20% Cu with small amounts of silver. Ore not necessarily confined to garnet-bearing rock. Ore along fault and near granitic intrusives; ore steeply dipping at surface but flattens to nearly horizontal at depth. Wollastonite is described as being "minor" to abundant."

Workings include shaft operations with principal levels at 500, 600, & 700 feet below the collar (IN 1922). Worked sporadically in the 1880's to 1959. Produced an estimated and reported tonnage of over 605,000 tons of ore averaging about 2% Cu, 0.5 oz. Ag/T and minor Au. Subhumed by the much larger Mission pit operation.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

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

29 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Atacamite
Formula: Cu2(OH)3Cl
ⓘ Aurichalcite
Formula: (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ Chrysocolla
Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
ⓘ Connellite
Formula: Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O
ⓘ Covellite
Formula: CuS
ⓘ Cuprite
Formula: Cu2O
ⓘ Epidote
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ 'Garnet Group'
Formula: X3Z2(SiO4)3
Description: In garnetized Paleozoic limestone.
ⓘ Gerhardtite
Formula: Cu2(NO3)(OH)3
Description: Occurs as thin semas of granular material in cuprite, coated by aurichalcite.
ⓘ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Magnetite
Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘ Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
ⓘ Marcasite
Formula: FeS2
Description: Occurs as thin coatings and veinlets.
ⓘ Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
ⓘ Pseudoboleite
Formula: Pb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'
Formula: ADSi2O6
ⓘ Pyrrhotite
Formula: Fe1-xS
ⓘ Scheelite
Formula: Ca(WO4)
ⓘ Smithsonite
Formula: ZnCO3
ⓘ Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS
ⓘ Tenorite
Formula: CuO
ⓘ 'Tetrahedrite Subgroup'
Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S
ⓘ Tremolite
Formula: ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Description: Associated with a mineral deposit of contact-metamorphic origin.
ⓘ Wollastonite
Formula: Ca3(Si3O9)
ⓘ Wulfenite
Formula: Pb(MoO4)

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘCovellite2.CA.05aCuS
ⓘSphalerite2.CB.05aZnS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘPyrrhotite2.CC.10Fe1-xS
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘMolybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘMarcasite2.EB.10aFeS2
ⓘ'Tetrahedrite Subgroup'2.GB.05Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘAtacamite3.DA.10aCu2(OH)3Cl
ⓘConnellite3.DA.25Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O
ⓘPseudoboleite3.DB.10Pb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘCuprite4.AA.10Cu2O
ⓘTenorite4.AB.10CuO
ⓘMagnetite4.BB.05Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘSmithsonite5.AB.05ZnCO3
ⓘMalachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
ⓘAurichalcite5.BA.15(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
ⓘGerhardtite5.NB.05Cu2(NO3)(OH)3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘGypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘScheelite7.GA.05Ca(WO4)
ⓘWulfenite7.GA.05Pb(MoO4)
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘEpidote9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘTremolite9.DE.10◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
ⓘWollastonite9.DG.05Ca3(Si3O9)
ⓘChrysocolla9.ED.20Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Unclassified
ⓘ'Pyroxene Group'-ADSi2O6
ⓘ'Garnet Group'-X3Z2(SiO4)3

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
Hⓘ Aurichalcite(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
Hⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Hⓘ ConnelliteCu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O
Hⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ GerhardtiteCu2(NO3)(OH)3
Hⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Hⓘ PseudoboleitePb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48
Hⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
CCarbon
Cⓘ Aurichalcite(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cⓘ SmithsoniteZnCO3
NNitrogen
Nⓘ GerhardtiteCu2(NO3)(OH)3
OOxygen
Oⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
Oⓘ Aurichalcite(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Oⓘ ConnelliteCu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O
Oⓘ CupriteCu2O
Oⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ GerhardtiteCu2(NO3)(OH)3
Oⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Oⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Oⓘ PseudoboleitePb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48
Oⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
Oⓘ SmithsoniteZnCO3
Oⓘ TenoriteCuO
Oⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Oⓘ WulfenitePb(MoO4)
Oⓘ WollastoniteCa3(Si3O9)
Oⓘ Pyroxene GroupADSi2O6
Oⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Alⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
SiSilicon
Siⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Siⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Siⓘ WollastoniteCa3(Si3O9)
Siⓘ Pyroxene GroupADSi2O6
Siⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
SSulfur
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ ConnelliteCu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O
Sⓘ CovelliteCuS
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Sⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Sⓘ SphaleriteZnS
Sⓘ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
ClChlorine
Clⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
Clⓘ ConnelliteCu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O
Clⓘ PseudoboleitePb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48
CaCalcium
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
Caⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Caⓘ WollastoniteCa3(Si3O9)
FeIron
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Feⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
CuCopper
Cuⓘ AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl
Cuⓘ Aurichalcite(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Cuⓘ ConnelliteCu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O
Cuⓘ CovelliteCuS
Cuⓘ CupriteCu2O
Cuⓘ GerhardtiteCu2(NO3)(OH)3
Cuⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cuⓘ PseudoboleitePb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48
Cuⓘ TenoriteCuO
Cuⓘ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
ZnZinc
Znⓘ Aurichalcite(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6
Znⓘ SmithsoniteZnCO3
Znⓘ SphaleriteZnS
MoMolybdenum
Moⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Moⓘ WulfenitePb(MoO4)
SbAntimony
Sbⓘ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
WTungsten
Wⓘ ScheeliteCa(WO4)
PbLead
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS
Pbⓘ PseudoboleitePb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48
Pbⓘ WulfenitePb(MoO4)

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS:10039575

Localities in this Region

USA
  • Arizona
    • Pima County
      • Sierrita Mountains
        • Pima Mining District
          • San Xavier
            • Mission complex

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent
North 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

MRDS database Dep. ID file #10039575, MRDS ID #M050359; and, Dep. ID #10162108, MAS ID #0040190315.
Mines Handbook (1918, 1920, 1925, 1926, 1931).
Stone, R.W. (1920), Gypsum deposits of the United States, USGS Bull. 697: 52
Ransome, F.L. (1922), Ore deposits of the Sierrita Mountains, Pima County, Arizona, USGS Bull. 725-J: 407-428.
Elsing, M.J. and Heineman, E.S. (1936) Arizona Metal Production, Arizona Bureau of Mines Bulletin 140.
Mayuga, M.N. (1942) The Geology and Ore Deposits of the Helmet Peak Area, Pima County, Arizona, PhD thesis, University of Arizona.
Galbraith, F. W. (1947) Minerals of Arizona (Second Edition, Revised). University of Arizona Bulletin 153. Arizona Bureau of Mines
Storms, W.R., and Bowman, A.B. (1957) Mining methods and practices at the Mineral Hill copper mine, Banner Mining Co., Pima County, Ariz.: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular I.C. 7786, 25 p.
Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of Arizona: 54;
MacKenzie, F.D. (1959) Pyrometasomatic deposits at the Mineral Hill and Daisy mines, in Heindl, L.A., ed., Southern Arizona Guidebook II, combined with the 2nd annual Arizona Geological Society Digest: Arizona Geological Society, p. 193-194.
Cooper, J.R. (1960) Some geologic features of the Pima mining district, Pima County, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1112-C, p. 63-103, 1 sheet, scale 1:31,680.
Dale, V.B., et al (1960), Tungsten deposits of Cochise, Pima, and Santa Clara Cos., AZ, US Bur. Mines Rept. Inv. 5650
Bowman, A.B. (1963) History, growth and development of a small mining company: Mining Engineering: 15(6): 42-49.
Keith, Stanton B. (1974), Arizona Bureau of Geology & Mineral Technology, Geological Survey Branch Bull. 189, Index of Mining Properties in Pima County, Arizona: 135 (Table 4).
Elevatorski, E.A. (1978), Arizona Industrial Minerals, Arizona Department of Mineral Resources, Minerals Report No. 2: 53.
Phillips, Ken A. (1987) Arizona Industrial Minerals - Mineral Report 4 (2nd ed.). Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources. 197pp.
Anthony, John W.; Williams, Sidney A.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Grant, Raymond W. (1995) Mineralogy of Arizona (3rd ed.). University of Arizona Press.
(n.d.) ADMMR Mines Database, Arizona Geological Survey.
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