Phoenix Project

Producer in Lander county in Nevada, United States with commodities Gold, Copper, Silver, Palladium, Molybdenum, Lead, Zinc, Arsenic

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID	10310421
MRDS ID	M234145
Record type	Site
Current site name	Phoenix Project
Alternate or previous names	Battle Mountain Mine, Battle Mountain Project

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference	Pit
Geographic coordinates:	-117.1247, 40.5473 (WGS84)
Elevation	2057
Relative position	Central Phoenix pit. The mines of the Phoenix Project are located 50 miles southeast of Winnemucca and 19 miles by road (12 air miles) southwest of the town of Battle Mountain, mainly in the southern portion of the Battle Mountain Range.
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Geographic areas

Country	State	County
United States	Nevada	Lander

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian	Township	Range	Section	Fraction	State
Mount Diablo	031N	043E	21 22 27	NW/4 SEC. 22	Nevada

Comments on the location information

The mines of the Phoenix Project are located about 4 miles south of Antler Peak in the vicinity of Copper Canyon, which drains the southern part of the Battle Mountain massif. The central Phoenix pit will be adjacent to and south of the existing Upper and Lower Fortitude deposits.

Commodities

Commodity	Importance
Gold	Primary
Copper	Primary
Silver	Secondary
Palladium	Tertiary
Molybdenum	Tertiary
Lead	Tertiary
Zinc	Tertiary
Arsenic	Tertiary

Comments on the commodity information

Ore Materials: native gold, native silver, auriferous pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, molybdenite, galena, , chalcocite, chrysocolla, copper carbonates, covellite
Gangue Materials: Iron-rich garnet, quartz, diopside, tremolite, actinolite, biotite

Materials information

Materials	Type of material
Gold	Ore
Silver	Ore
Pyrite	Ore
Chalcopyrite	Ore
Pyrrhotite	Ore
Marcasite	Ore
Arsenopyrite	Ore
Sphalerite	Ore
Molybdenite	Ore
Galena	Ore
Chalcocite	Ore
Chrysocolla	Ore
Covellite	Ore
Garnet	Gangue
Quartz	Gangue
Diopside	Gangue
Tremolite	Gangue
Actinolite	Gangue
Biotite	Gangue

Alteration

(Local) Alteration types present in host rocks are varying degrees of potassic, pyritic, silicic, propylitic, and sericitic alteration.

Analytical data

Result	GOLD FLAKE SAMPLE (4.79 MG WT) FROM THE EAST ORE BODY: 3.6% PPM AG, 30 PPM MO, 10 PPM PD. AU GRADE 0.69 OZ/TON MAX. GRANODIORITE SHOWS <5-50 PPM MO, 20 PPB PD MAX. ORE AVERAGES ABOUT 0.5% CU BY WEIGHT

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code	58
USGS model code	18a
Deposit model name	Porphyry Cu, skarn-related
Mark3 model number	9

Host and associated rocks

Host or associated

Host

Rock type

Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Conglomerate

Rock type qualifier

metamorphosed

Rock unit name

Battle Formation

Stratigraphic age (youngest)	Middle Pennsylvanian

Host or associated

Host

Rock type

Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Sandstone

Rock type qualifier

feldspathic

Rock unit name

Harmony Formation

Stratigraphic age (youngest)	Late Cambrian

Host or associated

Host

Rock type

Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Shale

Rock type qualifier

calcareous

Rock unit name

Pumpernickel Formation

Stratigraphic age (youngest)	Permian
Stratigraphic age (oldest)	Early Pennsylvanian

Host or associated

Host

Rock type

Sedimentary Rock > Chemical Sediment > Chert

Rock unit name

Havallah Group

Stratigraphic age (youngest)	Early Permian
Stratigraphic age (oldest)	Middle Pennsylvanian

Host or associated

Host

Rock type

Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Argillite

Rock unit name

Havallah Group

Stratigraphic age (youngest)	Early Permian
Stratigraphic age (oldest)	Middle Pennsylvanian

Host or associated Associated

Rock type Plutonic Rock > Granitoid > Granodiorite

Stratigraphic age (youngest) Tertiary
Host or associated Associated

Rock type Plutonic Rock > Mafic Intrusive Rock > Quartz Diorite

Stratigraphic age (youngest) Tertiary

Nearby scientific data

Pit (1)	-117.1247, 40.5473	ListMap

Geologic structures

Type	Description	Terms
Regional	Virgin Fault, a major north-striking fault. Copper Canyon Fault is another major fault in the district. The Roberts Mountain thrust, Dewitt Thrust, and Golconda Thrust have all telescoped the various formations in the district.
Local	N-S trending faults; minor NW- and NE-trending faults. Some faulting is Late Permian in age.

Ore body information

General form disseminated, stockwork, irregular, linear beds, massive

Thickness 60M

Depth to top 30M

Width 914.4M

Length 1524M

General form	disseminated, stockwork, irregular, linear beds, massive
Thickness	60M
Depth to top	30M
Width	914.4M
Length	1524M

Controls for ore emplacement

Ore is controlled by both favorable horizons in Battle Formation and proximity to an igneous contact. There are varying degrees of structural control of individual orebodies in relation to local faults, also.

Comments on the geologic information

The original granodiorite intrusion was subjected to alteration that changed its composition to that of a quartz diorite. The East Ore body developed a chalcocite blanket to 20 m thick with high copper values. Limy shale of the Pumpernickel Formation was the chief host rock for the west ore body; conglomerate of the Battle Formation was the chief host for the east ore body but there was some mineralization in the Harmony Formation also.

Economic information

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type	Surface-Underground
Development status	Producer
Commodity type	Metallic
Deposit size	Medium
Significant	Yes
Discovery year	1864
Discoverer	Battle Mountain Gold Company
Year of first production	1864
Year of last production	2004
Production years	1916-1957; 1967-1977; 1994-2004

Mining district

District name	Battle Mountain District

Land status

Ownership category	Private
Ownership category	BLM Administrative Area
Area name	Battle Mountain BLM Administrative District

Ownership information

Type Owner-Operator

Owner Newmont Mining Corp.

Year 2006
Type Owner-Operator

Owner Duval Corp.

First year 1981

Type	Owner-Operator
Owner	Newmont Mining Corp.
Year	2006

Type	Owner-Operator
Owner	Duval Corp.
First year	1981

Comments on the workings information

Open pit mines have obliterated many earlier underground workings over about 2.25 square miles.

Comments on other economic factors

At the end of 2002, Phoenix had reserves of 174.2 million tons of ore grading 0.034 ounce of gold per ton (6 million ounces of gold) plus an additional 73.8 million tons of mineralized material grading 0.026 ounces of gold per ton not in reserves. Newmont plans to produce about as much as 420,000 ounces of gold and 21 million pounds of copper per year from the site. Copper reserves at Phoenix totaled 156.3 million tons of ore at 0.16%, representing 520 million pounds of copper.

Comments on development

The first claims were located in the Battle Mountain District in 1866 after copper and silver were discovered in Copper Canyon in 1864. In 1916, Copper Canyon Mining Company acquired the Copper Basin and Copper Canyon properties and leased out claims until 1955. They operated a mill in Copper Canyon from 1941-1957. Duval Corporation acquired the properties in the early 1960s and began producing Cu-Au-Ag ore from the 4000 tpd mill in 1967. Duval's Battle Mountain open pit mines were Nevada's 3rd largest copper producer until depressed copper prices in 1977 forced a gradual conversion to gold production, which continues to present. Phoenix was the name of one of the Copper Canyon mine prospects at least as early as 1923 when geologist J. C. Jones described drilling results on the Phoenix property. Battle Mountain Gold Company adopted the name Phoenix project for its developing gold prospects in the halo surrounding the old copper mines, particularly in the Copper Canyon portion of its Battle Mountain complex, and the name was in common use for the project by the early 1990s. In 1994 the Phoenix project was reported to contain proven and probable gold reserves of approximately 1.475 million ounces of gold with the potential to average about 120,000 ounces of gold per year. In 1995, Battle Mountain Gold Co.'s Phoenix project reserves rose to 46.6 million tons grading 0.040 opt gold with the project plan calling for both milling and heap leach facilities and incorporating the mining of a number of satellitic orebodies. In 1997, Battle Mountain Gold Co. increased total estimated proven and probable gold reserves at the Phoenix property to 2,505,000 ounces of gold with additional drilling planned for the Fortitude, Midas, and Phoenix deposits in 1998 in an effort to further expand reserves. 1998 drilling added approximately 1 million ounces of gold to the reserve base, and drill results from West Midas, mid-Midas and Fortitude indicated that the footprint of the new mine model would be much larger than originally anticipated, spanning from the old Fortitude pit on the north, to the Midas deposits in the south, a distance of about 3 miles. In 1999, Battle Mountain Gold Co. added 2.2 million ounces of gold to reserves at Phoenix, increasing the anticipated mine life to over 15 years at 300,000 ounces of gold per year, Permitting for Phoenix was moving ahead with the BLM, and the company hoped to have a draft environmental impact statement by mid-year 2000. In January 2001, Newmont Mining Corp. finalized its acquisition of Battle Mountain Gold Company, thus taking over the Phoenix project. By summer 2001, proven and probable reserves at Phoenix stood at 6.03 million ounces of gold and 515 million pounds of copper. Plans called for deeper mining at the existing Phoenix, Greater Midas, Reona, and Iron Canyon open pits. Phoenix was expected to produce 400,000 ounces of gold per year from surface mining, milling, and heap leaching on site and processing gold-copper concentrate at Newmont's Lone Tree Mill at Valmy By 2002, Newmont Mining Corp. planned to begin production of gold and copper at the Phoenix project in 2007 by developing two new open pits and expanding two existing pits, as well as processing earlier low grade stockpiles of gold ore left from historic mining and expanding heap leach and waste rock facilities. In 2003 Newmont's Phoenix project received approval from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and from Newmont's board to begin development of the Phoenix mining operation. In December, 2004 Newmont Mining Corp. began construction on the infrastructure for the Phoenix gold mine, which will be the largest gold-processing operation in the state.
Newmont's current development plan for the Phoenix Project calls for developing the Reona pit, expanding the existing Fortitude and Northeast Extension pits to create the Phoenix pit, and expanding the existing Midas and Iron Canyon pits, as well as processing low grade ore stockpiles from the former Tomboy, Fortitude, and Northeast Extension pits. The mine operations should have a life of at least 28 years followed by 5 years of additional reclamation. Since mining is scheduled to end at Newmont's nearby Lone Tree in August 2006, some of those workers will be moved over to the Phoenix project. First Production is expected in 2007 with a current mine plan of 13 years and average annual sales/production of 370,000 - 420,000 ounces of gold, and approximately 27 million pounds of copper (accounted for as a byproduct credit. Average gold recovery anticipated is 80% - 84%. By early 2006, Newmont Mining completed construction and began operation of its Phoenix project near Battle Mountain in Lander County.
COPPER CANYON MINE SHUT DOWN IN 1978 AND THE MILL WAS CONVERTED FOR GOLD PRODUCTION AT THE BATTLE MOUNTAIN (AKA FORTITUDE COMPLEX) GOLD PROPERTY.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

Deposit

Theodore, T.G., and Blake, D.W., 1975, Geology and Geochemistry of the Copper Canyon Porphyry Copper Deposit and Surrounding Area, Lander County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 798-B, p. B21, B47, B50.
Deposit

Roberts, R.J., and Arnold , D.C., 1965, Ore Deposits of the Antler Peak Quadrangle, Humboldt and Lander Counties, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 459-B, p. B24, B43-B49.
Deposit

Stager, H.K., 1977, Geology and Mineral Deposits of Lander County, Nevada, Part II, Mineral Deposits: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin 88, p. 66-67.
Deposit

Page, N.J, Theodore, T.G., Venuti, P.E., and Carlson, R.R., 1978, Implications of the Petrochemistry of Palladium at Iron Canyon, Lander County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Journal of Research, v. 6, No. 1, p. 107-114.
Deposit

Blake, D.W., Kretschmer, E.L., and Theodore, T.G., 1978, Geology and Mineralization of the Copper Canyon Deposit, Lander County, Nevada, in Shawe, D.R., Ed., Guidebook to Mineral Deposits of the Central Great Basin: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Report 32, p. 45-48.
Deposit

Theodore, T.G., and Blake, D.W., 1978, Geology and Geochemistry of the West Ore Body and Associated Skarns, Copper Canyon Porphyry Copper Deposit, Lander County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 798-C, 85 p.
Deposit

Sayers, P.W., Tippett, M.C., and Fields, E.D., 1968, The Ore Deposits at Copper Canyon and Copper Basin, Lander County, Nevada: paper delivered at annual AIME Meeting, New York, 1968.
Deposit

Nash, J.T., and Theodore, T.G., 1971, Ore Fluids in the Porphyry Copper Deposit at Copper Canyon, Nevada: Economic Geology, vol. 66, no. 3, p. 385-399.
Deposit

Long, K.R., DeYoung, J.H., Jr., and Ludington, S.D., 1998, Database of significant deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in the United States; Part A, Database description and analysis; part B, Digital database: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-206, 33 p., one 3.5 inch diskette.
Deposit

NBMG MI 1994-2003
Deposit

Press release: Friday, December 17, 2004: "Newmont begins Nevada gold mine construction"
Deposit

Doebrich, Jeff, 1995, Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Antler Peak 7.5-minute quadrangle, Lander County, Nevada, NBMG Bull 109, 44 p.
Deposit

Denver Mining Record, 4/20/94, 4/26/95, 10/19/94.
Deposit

Battle Mountain Gold 1995 annual report
Deposit

Elko Daily Free Press, 9/9/97, 12/30/2000, 1/8/03,12/10/2003
Deposit

Newmont Mining Corp., 6/21/03
Deposit

Geological Society of Nevada, 1999, Geology and Gold Mineralization of the Buffalo Valley Area, Northwestern Battle Mountain Trend; GSN Special Publication No. 31, 1999 Fall field trip Guidebook.
Deposit

Wendt, Clancy, 2004, Technical Report on the? ICBM/COPPER BASIN Property, Lander and Humboldt Counties, Nevada, Staccato Gold website, : http://www.staccatogold.com/i/pdf/icbm-43-101.pdf
[http://www.staccatogold.com/i/pdf/icbm-43-101.pdf]

General comments

Subject category	Comment text
Deposit	Oxidized and enriched ore is present but not economically important. At the historic mine, there were 2 ore bodies. The mined-out East ore body was hosted by siliceous and calcareous conglomerate within the lower part of the Battle Formation, which was altered to quartz-k-spar-biotite rock with sulfides distributed throughout. The West ore body is in a garnet skarn surrounded by an envelope of diopside, tremolite-actinolite, and biotite, north of and adjacent to the granodiorite contact in Copper Canyon. Total sulfide content (mainly pyrite and pyrrhotite) increases to as much as 75% by volume toward granodiorite contact, with chalcopyrite important closer to the contact. Metal zoning is well developed. The average size of the ore body was said to be 1,500 x 600 x 180 meters.

Subject category

Comment text

Deposit

Oxidized and enriched ore is present but not economically important. At the historic mine, there were 2 ore bodies. The mined-out East ore body was hosted by siliceous and calcareous conglomerate within the lower part of the Battle Formation, which was altered to quartz-k-spar-biotite rock with sulfides distributed throughout. The West ore body is in a garnet skarn surrounded by an envelope of diopside, tremolite-actinolite, and biotite, north of and adjacent to the granodiorite contact in Copper Canyon. Total sulfide content (mainly pyrite and pyrrhotite) increases to as much as 75% by volume toward granodiorite contact, with chalcopyrite important closer to the contact. Metal zoning is well developed. The average size of the ore body was said to be 1,500 x 600 x 180 meters.

Reporter information

Type	Date	Name	Affiliation	Comment
Reporter	01-MAR-1973	Theodore, Ted G.	U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter	01-APR-1976	Blair, Will N.	U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter	01-DEC-1980	La Pointe, D.D.	Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Updater	01-DEC-1981	Sutphin, David M.	U.S. Geological Survey
Updater	01-NOV-1990	Skurski, M. (Marcus, Sue)	U.S. Geological Survey
Updater	01-JUN-1991	Peterson, Jocelyn A.	U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter	01-MAY-2004	LaPointe, D.D.	Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Updater	01-DEC-2006	LaPointe, D.D.	Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Editor	01-SEP-2007	Schruben, Paul G.	U.S. Geological Survey	Converted from S&A FileMaker format to Oracle. Edit checks on rocks, units, and ages with Geolex search, and other fields.