| Deposit ID | 10161929 |
|---|---|
| MRDS ID | D000333 |
| MAS/MILS ID | 0040190009 |
| Record type | Deposit |
| Current site name | Silver Bell mine |
| Alternate or previous names | North Silver Bell pit, El Tiro pit, West Oxide pit, East Oxide pit |
| Point of reference | Ore Body |
|---|---|
| Geographic coordinates: | -111.5015, 32.39371 (WGS84) |
| Elevation | 884 |
| Location accuracy | 1000(meters) |
| (click for info) | |
| Country | State | County |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Arizona | Pima |
| Meridian | Township | Range | Section | Fraction | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gila and Salt River | 012 S | 008 E | 11 | S2 | Arizona |
| Commodity | Importance |
|---|---|
| Copper | Primary |
| Molybdenum | Tertiary |
| Silver | Secondary |
| Materials | Type of material |
|---|---|
| Chalcocite | Ore |
| Chalcopyrite | Ore |
| Molybdenite | Ore |
| Cuprite | Gangue |
| Model code | 79 |
|---|---|
| USGS model code | 21a |
| Deposit model name | Porphyry Cu-Mo |
| Mark3 model number | 2 |
| Host or associated | Host | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock type | Plutonic Rock > Granitoid > Quartz Monzonite | ||||
| Rock unit name | El Tiro and Imperial stocks | ||||
| |||||
| Ore Body (1) | -111.5015, 32.39371 |
|---|
| Type of structure | Local |
|---|---|
| Structural terms | Fracturing |
| Thickness | 90M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depth to top | 60M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Width | 1260M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 1260M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Area | 840HA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operation type | Surface |
|---|---|
| Development status | Producer |
| Commodity type | Metallic |
| Significant | Yes |
| Discovery year | 1909 |
| Mining method | Open Pit |
| Year of first production | 1954 |
| Milling method | Flotation |
| District name | Silver Bell |
|---|
| Type of mineral rights | Patented |
|---|
| Ownership category | Private |
|---|
| Type | Owner-Operator |
|---|---|
| Owner | Asarco (American Smelting And Refining Co.) |
| ID | 200134 |
| Interest | 100 |
| Home office | New York |
| Year | 1972 |
| First year | 1954 |
| Type | Joint Venture |
|---|---|
| Owner | MITSUI AND CO LTD |
| Interest | 25 |
| Year | 2009 |
| First year | 1996 |
| Type | Operator |
|---|---|
| Owner | ASARCO INC (GRUPO MEXICO is 100% owner) |
| Home office | 5285 East Williams Circle Suite 2000 Tucson AZ 85711 United States |
| Year | 2010 |
| First year | 1999 |
| Year | 1972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 1954-1972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Material | Probably from old_MRDS Silver Bell District record D000333, source is probably Galey, 1979. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ore mined | 54,200,000mt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accuracy | Accurate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best? | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1978 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Fd Grd: 0.65%Cu, 0.017%Mo, 2.5g/Mtag 3239000 Mt Ore/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1978 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Conc. Grd: 24% Cu, 86.3 G/Mt Ag 69312 Mt Conc/Yr | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1978 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Leach Ppt Grd: 72% Cu 3963 Mt Leach Ppt/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1978 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Mos2 Conc Grade: 42.3% Mo 143 Mt Mos2 Conc/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Fd Grd: 0.66%Cu, 0.013%Mo, 2.3g/Mtag 3375000 Mt Ore/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1979 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Conc. Grd: 24% Cu, 79.5 G/Mt Ag 68536 Mt Conc/Yr | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1979 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Leach Ppt Grd: 75% Cu 4212 Mt Leach Ppt/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1979 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Mos2 Conc Grade: 43.0% Mo 454 Mt Mos2 Conc/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Fd Grd: 0.67%Cu, 0.012%Mo, 2.0g/Mtag 2000000 Mt Ore/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1980 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Conc. Grd: 24% Cu, 66.8 G/Mt Ag 41049 Mt Conc/Yr | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1980 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Leach Ppt Grd: 75% Cu 2658 Mt Leach Ppt/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1980 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Mos2 Conc Grade: 40.1% Mo 217 Mt Mos2 Conc/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Fd Grd: 0.71%Cu, 0.012%Mo, 2.7g/Mtag 3346000 Mt Ore/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1981 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Conc. Grd: 24% Cu, 92.7 G/Mt Ag 74145 Mt Conc/Yr | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 1981 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Leach Ppt Grd: 75% Cu 4802 Mt Leach Ppt/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1981 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Mos2 Conc Grade: 41.7% Mo 257 Mt Mos2 Conc/Yr | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1982 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Mine & Mill Closed Dump Leach Operating 4720 Mtpy Cu Produced (Leach) | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1982 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | 342 Kgs Ag Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Description | Mine & Mill Resumed Operation In Oct 83 780000 Mtpy Ore Mined |
| Year | 1983 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Mill Conc & Leach Ppt 8170 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1983 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | 964 Kgs Ag Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1984 |
|---|---|
| Description | Mine Has Been Closed Since Aug 1984 2060000 Mtpy Ore Mined |
| Year | 1984 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Mill Conc & Leach Ppt 14900 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1984 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | 3170 Kgs Ag Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1985 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Leach Ppt. 4000 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1986 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Leach Ppt. 3300 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1987 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Leach Ppt. 5805 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1988 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Leach Ppt. 3928 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1989 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Leach Ppt. 4544 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1990 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Leach Ppt. 3846 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1991 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Cu Produced From Leach Ppt 3656 Mtpy Cu Produced | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1995 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Asarco 1997 10-K, p. A20. | ||||||||||||||
| Accuracy | Accurate | ||||||||||||||
| Best? | Y | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1996 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Asarco 1997 10-K, p. A20 | ||||||||||||||
| Accuracy | Accurate | ||||||||||||||
| Best? | Y | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1997 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | July-December | ||||||||||||||
| Material | New leach mine and SXEW plant begin production. Asarco 1997 10-K, p. A3, A20. | ||||||||||||||
| Accuracy | Accurate | ||||||||||||||
| Best? | Y | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 1998 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Asarco 1998 10-K, p. A-15 | ||||||||||||||
| Accuracy | Accurate | ||||||||||||||
| Best? | Y | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 2005 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 1999-2005 | ||||||||||||||
| Material | Estimate based on SXEW production capacity of between 50 and 67 tpd Cu. | ||||||||||||||
| Accuracy | Estimate | ||||||||||||||
| Best? | Y | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Year | 2009 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Grupo Mexico 2009 AR, p. 26. | ||||||||||||||
| Ore mined | 347,000mt | ||||||||||||||
| Accuracy | Accurate | ||||||||||||||
| Best? | Y | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 22,400,000mt ore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Measured | 22,400,000mt ore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 22,400,000mt ore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1982 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 20,600,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Measured | 20,600,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 20,600,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1987 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 19,010,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Measured | 19,010,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 19,010,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1994 | ||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 91,900,000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Indicated | 91,900,000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 91,900,000mt ore | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 1996 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demonstrated | 179,000,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total resources | 179,000,000mt ore | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | In-situ | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate year | 2009 | ||||||||||||||
| Reserves | 141,400,000st | ||||||||||||||
| Remarks | Grupo Mexico 2009 AR, p. 26. | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Type of workings | Surface | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 80HA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency | Database name | Acronym | Record ID | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bureau of Mines | Minerals Availability System | MAS | 0040190009 | |
| USGS | Mineral Resources Data System | MRDS | D000333 | MAS references MRDS |
| Mine Safety and Health Administration | MSHA | MSHA | 0200134 |
Kendrick, M.A., Burgess, R., Pattrick, R.A.D. and Turner, G., 2001, Halogen and Ar-Ar age determinations of inclusions within quartz veins from porphyry copper deposits using complementary noble gas extraction techniques; Chemical Geology, v. 177, p. 351-370.
Asarco's Silver Bell Mining webpage has timeline history and operation information. Accessed 8/30/2010. http://www.asarco.com/silverbell.html
Grupo Mexico Annual Report for 2009, 88 p. Accessed on 8/30/2010. http://www.gmexico.com/investors/reports.php
Richard, K.E., and J.H. Courtright, Structure and Mineralization At Silver Bell, Arizona, Aime Trans., 1954, Pp. 1095-1099.
GALEY, 1979, SOC ECON GEOL, PORPHYRY CU FIELD CONF, 18 P.
Long, K.R., 1995, Production and reserves of Cordilleran (Alaska to Chile) porphyry copper deposits; in Pierce, F.W. and Bolm, J.G., eds., Porphyry Copper Deposits of the American Cordillera, Arizona Geological Society, Digest 20, p. 35-68
Barra, F., Ruiz, J., Valencia, V.A., Ochoa-Landin, L., Chesley, J.T. and Zurcher, L., 2005, Laramide porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization in northern Mexico: age constraints from Re-Os geochronology in molybdenite; Economic Geology, v. 100, p. 1605-1616.
Geology Of The Porphyry Copper Deposits, Southwestern North America, 1966 Pp. 157-163.
Browne, Q. J. and Miller, M. A., 2002, Use of geologic parameters for development of low-grade copper reserves, Silver Bell Mine, Arizona; In Society of Mining Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibit, 2002, Technical Program, Society of Mining Engineers, p. 68.
Watson, Barry N., Updating The Geology And Structural Ore Controls At Silver Bell, Arizona, Pres. At Arizona Aime Spring Meeting, Mining Geology Div., May 20, 1968, 11 Pp.
Asarco Inc. 1986 Annual Report, P. 11.
Graybeal F T 1983 - Geology of the El Tiro area: in Titley S R 1983 Advances in Geology of the Porphyry Copper Deposits, Southwestern North America University of Arizona Press, Tucson pp 487-505
Lopez J A, Titley S R 1995 - Outcrop and capping characteristics of the supergene sulfide enrichment at North Silver Bell, Pima County, Arizona: in Pierce F W, Bolm J G (Eds), Porphyry Copper Deposits of the American Cordillera Arizona Geol. Soc. Digest 20 pp 424-435
World Mining, Sept., 1977, P. 174.
Richard K, Courtright J H 1966 - Structure and mineralization at Silver Bell, Arizona: in Titley S R, Hicks C L 1966 Geology of the Porphyry Copper Deposits, Southwestern North America University of Arizona Press, Tucson pp 157-163
Asarco S.E.C. Form 10-K, 1977.
The Porter GeoConsultancy webpage for Silver Bell contains a description of the geology. Accessed on 8/31/2010. http://www.portergeo.com.au/
Asarco S.E.C. Form 10-K Report, Dec. 31, 1976, Pp. A3-A5.
Asarco 1993 Ann. Rept. P. 5.
Asarco 1981 Form 10-K Annual Report, 1982, P. 20.
Asarco 1986 Sec Form 10-K Report, P. 11.
Asarco Inc. 1995 Annual Report, P.7.
Hardwick, W.R., Open Pit Copper Mining And Concentrating Methods and Costs, Silver Bell Unit, American Smelting And Refining Co., Pima County, Arizona, U.S. Bureau Of Mines I C 8153, 1963, 72 Pp.
Huttl, John B., Silver Bell A S and R'S New Arizona Copper Project Starts Production, Engr. and Mining J., V. 155, N.7, Pp. 72-9.
Silver Bell - Asarco Makes A Mine At A Known Deposit, Mining World, April, 1958, Pp. 40-5.
Skillings, David N., Jr., Asarco'S Silver Bell Unit,July 25, 1970. Pp. 3-5.
Engr. and Mining Journal Flowsheet Portfolio, Dec., 1957,P.166
Sheffer, Herman W., And Lamar G. Evans, Copper Leaching Practices In The Western United States, U.S. Bur. Of Mines I C 8341, 1968, Pp. 10-11, 19-23.
Sw Pay Dirt,4-92, P.12a.
Schiffer, Craig. American Metal Market, V104 N28, 2-8-96, P.1.
Graybeal, Frederick T., Univ. Of Az Press, 1982, P.487.
Titley, Spencer R., Univ. Of Az Press, 1982, P.167.
Asarco News Letter, 6-30-89.
Sw Pay Dirt, 8-90, P,6a.
The Mining Record, 9-5-90, P.20.
Engineering And Mining Journal, 9-90, P.111.
Mining Engineering, 9-90, P.1052.
The Northern Miner, 11-11-91, P.17.
Asarco Inc. 1993 10-K, P.A15.
Sw Pay Dirt, 7-94, P.2a.
Asarco Inc., 1994 10-K, P. A18.
The Mining Record, Vol 108., #9, Feb. 26, 1997, P14.
| Subject category | Comment text |
|---|---|
| Deposit | Original Evaluation Done In 1978. Updated 1983. Location - Silver Bell Consists Of Two Open Pits (Oxide & El Tiro Pit). The El Tiro Pit Is About 10,000 Ft.(3050 M.) Northwest Of Oxide Pit. El Tiro Location: Utm: North 3586800 East 449300 Lat 32 Deg. 25 Min. 8 Sec. North Lon 111 Deg. 32 Min. 21 Sec. West NW Qtr, Sec. 4 T. 12s R. 8e Silver Bell Mine Has Been Closed Since Dec 1981 And Has Not Reopened As Of Jun 1983. This Data Base Represents A Proposed Operation Assuming The Mine Reopened In Jan 1982 And Operated At Design Capacity Thru 1987. Property Updated 7/87. |
| Type | Date | Name | Affiliation | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reporter | 11-MAR-97 | Hite, Alan G. | U.S. Bureau of Mines | |
| Editor | 31-AUG-10 | Schruben, Paul | U.S. Geological Survey | Estimated production 1999-2005. |
| Editor | 31-AUG-10 | Schruben, Paul | U.S. Geological Survey | Revised production and reserves. |