The Defense Mine is a silver, lead, and gold mine located in Cochise county, Arizona at an elevation of 4,524 feet.
About the MRDS Data:
All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property.
Mine Info
Elevation: 4,524 Feet (1,379 Meters)
Commodity: Silver, Lead, Gold
Lat, Long: 31.70778, -110.06806
Map: View on Google Maps
Satelite View
MRDS mine locations are often very general, and in some cases are incorrect. Some mine remains have been covered or removed by modern industrial activity or by development of things like housing. The satellite view offers a quick glimpse as to whether the MRDS location corresponds to visible mine remains.
Defense Mine MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Defense Mine
Secondary: Northwest Shaft
Secondary: Norhtwest Mine
Commodity
Primary: Silver
Primary: Lead
Primary: Gold
Location
State: Arizona
County: Cochise
District: Tombstone District
Land Status
Land ownership: Private
Note: the land ownership field only identifies whether the area the mine is in is generally on public lands like Forest Service or BLM land, or if it is in an area that is generally private property. It does not definitively identify property status, nor does it indicate claim status or whether an area is open to prospecting. Always respect private property.
Holdings
Not available
Workings
Not available
Ownership
Owner Name: Tombstone Milling And Mining Co.
Owner Name: Tombstone Development Co.
Owner Name: Bunker Hill Mines Co.
Owner Name: Tombstone Consolidated Mines Co.
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Intermontane Plateaus
Physiographic Province: Basin And Range Province
Physiographic Section: Mexican Highland
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Form: VEIN
Structure
Type: L
Description: In Tombstone Basin, Along Defense Fissure. Fissure Trends Ne, Becoming Easterly At Its East End
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Bisbee Limestone Is Recrystallized. Sand And Shale Converted To Hornfels Prior To Mineralization
Rocks
Name: Clastic Sedimentary Rock
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Late Cretaceous
Name: Clastic Sedimentary Rock
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Late Cretaceous
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Gold
Comments
Comment (Location): S CENTRAL 11.
Comment (Production): A FEW THOUSAND TONS OF ORE PRODUCED . PRODUCTION INCLUDED UNDER TOMBSTONE GROUP
Comment (Deposit): OXIDIZED ARGENTIFEROUS LEAD MINERALIZATION ALONG THE DEFENSE FISSURE ZONE WHERE INTERSECTS CROSSING ROLLS IN FAVORABLE CRET BEDS.
Comment (Workings): SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND WORKINGS.
References
Reference (Deposit): KEITH, S B, 1973, ARIZONA BUREAU OF MINES BULLETIN 187, P 75.
Reference (Production): KEITH, 1973, ARIZ BUR OF MINES BULL 187.
Reference (Deposit): ABM BULL 143, 1938
Arizona Gold
"Where to Find Gold in Arizona" looks at the density of modern placer mining claims along with historical gold mining locations and mining district descriptions to determine areas of high gold discovery potential in Arizona. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Arizona.
